Piece of me

Yesterday we took the kids to get pumpkins. Finding pumpkins that are free of rot in Florida can be difficult. We did not have a lot of time so we ended up at a pseudo "patch" in the parking lot of Bank of America's office park. We did find a few nice pumpkins and it was fun to see the kids run around trying to decide which one would be the best specimen to carve. Dad is going to carve with them tonight while I get in a few extra hours at the hospital giving flu shots.

Work is difficult right now with the election only a few days away. I may have mentioned that I am the only person in my department that supports Obama and the democratic party. I, however, do not feel hatred toward the others. I understand that their experience may be different from mine and am simply glad that they have the right to vote and have voted. In my situation, as Army wife, mother, nurse, middle class townhome owner, consumer of the public schools, college graduate from a private school with loans that I am still paying, family member who has witnessed the effects of mental illness, the lack of resources for those unable to afford health insurance even when working full time. Well, these are my issues. The issues that shaped my vote and it is frustrating to hear people at work talk about my vote as a flaw, with anger and resentment. I feel at times like others are actually talking about this candidate like he is a criminal that is personally at their doorstep. Frightens me to hear that level of disdain and nonacceptance. It makes me frightened for Obama.

My dad leaves on election day. It has been really nice having him. I am trying to round up a final list of items he could help on before he leaves. I work this weekend, his last weekend here and am a little sad because we have to been out a lot. We have only been to the beach once and never made it to St. Augustine. He has read a lot of books and the dogs love him.

Lee and the kids are still skyping at night and that works well. When he doesn't call Liam is the first to notice and if tired will quickly find tears.

GAS prices are one of my main forms of entertainment. The Kangaroo is definitely the cheapest around here at 2.34 a gallon the yesterday. I need to get a new hobby and start building up my social world. It can be very quiet around here and I notice how I have many friends but not enough chaos in the home. I love home chaos and lots of people. Chaos and a laundry lady would be my idea of a perfect situation. I still consider adopting another child. The thought hits me often. Lee is not on board and was very much against a third child so by allowing my thoughts to go this way I dig myself a further hole. But that baby smell and soft skin and the daily life of being a Mom brings me so much pleasure, always have.

Army pay is twice a month while Lee's civilian pay was always every other week. It may seem like the same thing but it isn't. It is mych easier to monitor accounts the civilian way. Had a text message from the bank at 2am that our account was overdrawn. Woke up to find that the mortgage was sent at 2 am to make a negative balance. I transferred savings to make it positive. Then at 10 am the Army paycheck electronically deposited into the account. Frustrating. I feel Ike I am on the verge of going broke all the time. Lee manages that whole ting better. I am capable- of course I am. I am an educated, bright, woman. The ownership issue is difficult. We need to refinance our house and I can because I have the POA--but the amount of work that takes and doing it solo frustrates me. I also have to write a letter begging for the exemption we are due on the home. I have to provide the justification for filing late. I have to explain that we are 3 years later filing for the exemption because we simply did not know about it?

Hazel showed me her running shoes today---her toes are at the end. I only bought those 2 months ago! What does she need now...a size 9.5? She is 10.5 and growing like a weed. I guess I will make new shoes a priority for her this week.