single parenthood

Back in December of 2005

2007-04-02T18:41:00.000-05:00

Back in December of 2005, I posted about Frank and Vida, my mom's parents. I talked about the kind and gentle grandfather that had passed away some 12 1/2 years ago. Yesterday we lost Vida. My 94 year old spunky, independent until her last day, grandma fell down her stairs backwards, and hit her head on a shelf. My aunt had just arrived an hour before to spend a few days with her and saw it happen. She did respond to her telling her she was fine but her chest and shoulder hurt. My aunt called the ambulance and when she went back to Grandma she was having a hard time breathing, one eye was full of blood and she started throwing up. She made it to the hospital 25 miles away, but couldn't keep up the fight. It was fast and to the point, very much like her personality. She never wanted to leave her home for assisted living, she never wanted to suffer, and we thank God for that tonight. But to know she was always there was so comforting. My heart bleeds tonight as I lost my last grandparent and I truly feel the last tie to my mother.

Then I start to realilze Grandma is happier today then she was yesterday when she woke up. She is home with my mom, grandpa and aunt Mary. Life in northern MN will never be the same. I will miss our talks to the most. All of the Great-children, where talking last night, about how she made the best strudel, potica, chocolate chip cookies, blueberry and raspberry pie of anyone they knew. She baked and cooked until the end.

GOD BLESS YOU, GRANDMA. You will remain in our hearts forever.......

Life Is Good

2007-03-27T21:45:00.000-05:00

We have had a wonderful time in my family during the last two weeks. My brother's basketball team, who has been very good this last year, went to the state tournament. Last Thursday, one of his players made a last second three point shot that won the game for his team. It put them into the state finals. On Saturday, the boys came through. They won the state tournament. I was so proud of the entire team.

One of the players, is a senior, and Kiran's former daycare brother. For the first three years Kiran went to Lyle's and Lyle is a father to one of the players. Nate is the greatest kid. He is happy all the time, always has a minute to pick up "little girl", give her a hug and chat with her. This happens even if there are older girls around or no one else. Kiran just loves the entire family. Let me also say that they loved her like a member of their family. I have been so lucky to have had two wonderful daycare providers......Kiran is so loved by many people.

I love Nate and part of me feels that we will never see this family again. Basketball is over, Nate will be graduating in a few months and they don't have any more boys. I feel a loss here and am not sure why. I AM PROUD OF THE STA Cadets. They did one heck of job and I have never seen a team work so well together. According to their coach, this might have been the first season in twenty years that he hasn't seen any no fighting or jealousy between the players.

My dad is feeling better, he even made it down for the first two games in state. I have two more days left with my kids until spring break. Since my two wild ones have moved I LOVE THIS GROUP again.

Kiran and I are taking a couple of nights and going to a water park in Duluth, MN. My nephew, niece, cousin and her two children are joining us. I am so looking forward to getting away and relaxing for a few days.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ST. THOMAS CADETS AGAIN. It was a wonderful ride. Thanks for the memories.

Mary

Snow fun

2007-03-04T12:17:00.000-06:00

It was only 8 days ago and we didn't have a flake of snow on the ground. That has all changed in these parts. Last weekend we had 10-12 inches of fresh snow to play in. Then on Thursday we had 15 more inches and a lovely snow day on Friday. I just love snowdays.........

The unexpected three day weekend has been lovely. Friday we spent at home with all the snow coming down and then on Saturday we ventured out to my Brother's basketball game, Kiran played outside in the snow with my nieces, and we made cupcakes. Now doesn't all that sound so exciting. I have to say that my life may seem boring to most single people but I am loving every minute of it. Today Kiran is going to my brother's to slide and play in the snow so more.

During my ride home on Thursday, I did something to my back and it HURTS!!! I have had a hard time getting out of bed and walking around. Lord, this getting old is for the birds. I am hoping when I go to work tomorrow that everything will be better.

Hopefully pictures to follow this week....

Miss everyone,

Mary and Kiran

Happy Valentine's Day

2007-02-14T21:17:00.000-06:00

Last year at this time, I was so happy in all areas of my life. I had, what I thought was a wonderful man in my life. I reached this day with some amount a dread. I was back to the old ways of Valentine's Day, no special person to spend the day or evening with. That was until I realized I had the best in my house already.

We had a wonderful day. It started out this morning, with Kiran giving me her special project she made in school yesterday. It was 6 huge chocolate covered strawberries. Yes, she did keep them in the refrigerator. She then apologized for not making me a card. After I ate the first strawberry, she looked at me and said, "Mommy, is that going to cost you points?" Ok, the kid knows I am on Weight Watchers again. She was concerned that she was adding on to my day that I had planned out last night. Of course these points are free I told her.

The day at school was wild but fun. I really do love my class.

Then, this evening we spent over an hour just talking in her room, snuggling, and reading stories. She read me two books and read her 4. She is so proud of herself when she can read a book to me. It is so amazing watching her sound out words. I watch her and almost cry. Who needs a boyfriend? I am so happy with what I have.....

PS-Al Franken announced he is running for Paul Wellstone's senate seat. I wish him all the luck in the world. It is time to get Norm Coleman out of that chamber.

The 21st century..

2007-01-29T20:39:00.000-06:00

It only took me until now to get high speed internet. I have to say, life is much faster around these parts.......I am so happy I made the decision to finally have it installed. It also comes along with digital cable and many more channels for us to choose from. Ok, Kiran watches one, Disney both morning and night. I tend to watch a few, CSPAN, CNN, CSPANII, ESPN, Comedy Network, some local channels, and ok, I will admit, the SOAP Channel......

I think I mentioned that I had a new student enter my room the week before Winter Break. This child is HELL on wheels. Last week, he brought to school and almost naked picture of some woman and a condom. Yes, you heard me correctly, the kid is in second grade. It is so sad when I look at him and realize what his future has in store. He is a smart child who has been dealt a few terrible hands in his short 7 years. His birthmother no longer has rights to him, his aunt is in the process of adopting him and he told me that he spent the entire weekend standing in the corner. The sad thing is I believe him. I am at a point where I feel sorry for him but he is soooo disruptive in the classroom. There are so many children out there in these types of situations. Please keep all of our children in your prayers.

I have my second conference in Kindergarten on Thursday. Tonight Kiran brought home her mid-trimester report with no concerns in all areas. She is starting to read, if I have mentioned that, I am sorry. Let me add it is in no way because her mommy is a teacher, she finds it easier to read to my SIL or nieces. I guess she is looking at my critical eye.

It was great hearing from everyone.

Mary

Who is now on the fast end of life will be checking in more often, hopefully......

Winter Fun

2007-01-20T13:25:00.000-06:00

She may be from India but she sure loves everything about the snow. Wish me luck, tomorrow I am taking her skating for the first time. I haven't been on a pair of skates in 30 years.

She experienced her first teasing at school this week. On Thursday, she wanted to wear a bindi to school. It matched her outfit and she looks so cute with one on. It seems that ALL the boys made fun of it so she took it off and said it was the last time she would wear one. It made me sad that she is thinking that way but I am sure she will change her mind one of these days.

Sorry, I haven't been around much. Life is just so busy and then there is that other website.....

Hope all is well with everyone.

Webkinz anonymous

2007-01-05T12:03:00.000-06:00

I am starting a new support group for all the parents out there addicted to their childs Webkinz site. This mom needs one. Whenever I get a free a few minutes, you can find me at the computer. Kiran gave me one for Christmas so I play on my own site know. I just love the games on there. So many are educational and it actually makes them responsible for spending and making money. Good lessons on saving and such. If you would like to join the group please email me.....

Today is the official last day of my vacation. I am really rested, have been sleeping until 9:00 every morning and playing on the da-- computer until 2:00 am every night. It has been fun being a stay at home with Kiran. I have had to bring her into school everyday and today I am going in to read a story to her class. She really likes having her mommy at school.

I was going to catch up on my reading over my break, no such luck. I haven't been in the mood to pick up a book for while. I do believe I go through this phase every year. I am hosting bookclub in a week, anyone have any good ideas on books that we could read?

This mom is ready to go back to work on Monday. I actually miss my little turkeys.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2006-12-31T16:20:00.000-06:00

As I reflect on this past year, I can only say I am happy and sad it is coming to a close.

Kiran remains the delight of my life. She has a sense of humor that keeps popping up. The other day, we were joking around when she said you cannot boss me. I replied, "That is my job as your mother." She looked at me and responded, "Sefali Bibi, is the boss of me." I can say, I am happy that reply came the first time during a joking situation instead of one when she was angry with me. Then the other day, I asked her a question, her reply, "No, Mary Poppins." My niece almost wet her pants. I have to say I thought it was funny myself.

In the past year, I have watched my father's health decline. His lupus is out of remission, he developed a cause of nasty shingles the week before we celebrated Christmas and due to the fact he did eat or drink anything for almost a week, ended up spending Christmas in the hospital. He had some very serious signs of short term memory loss while in the hospital. The doctors feel it was due to the pain killer, being dehydrated, and not eating. A week later, he is still getting confused but not so much and said he feels almost normal. Please say a prayer that it was nothing more the meds. He will see a neurologist on the 8th of January.

It was a good year for the Democrats. I can only hope that changes start to happen in Washington quickly. We are also happy in MN, the governor has lost much of his power with both the house and senate being of a democrat majority. It is funny listening to both the President and palmetto talking about compromise and working with the other side of the aisle.

Thank you for being friends and of great support in the last year. There have been many times that I felt this is the only place I can vent.

Happy New Year ALL!!!

Flip

2006-12-21T18:14:00.000-06:00

Ok, so we haven't had any weather to speak of for months. Today it rained and then snowed. This only concerns me because we are suppose to get 1 to 3 inches of snow tomorrow which will just enough to screw with the roads. Kiran and I were to leave for northern MN tomorrow after school. It is about a 3 1/2 hour drive so I am hoping the weather forecaster continue on their streak of being wrong.

She is so excited for the x-mas festivities to start. Christmas is so much fun having a little one around. She has asked Santa for a microscope and the 4th season of Full House on DVD. She is getting both and that is all. From her mommy she is getting the first four Ramona Quimby books.

From her daycare provider she received her 3rd Webkinz today and is so excited. For those who don't know, with these WEbkinz, you build a virtual life for them on the internet. They have a house, furniture, you have to feed them and so on. It is great and I think I am becoming addicted to the games on the site.

If I don't have a chance to stop again before the Christmas, Merry Christmas to those who celebrate, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kawanzaa.

We're Dreaming of a White Christmas

2006-12-14T17:39:00.000-06:00

It is December 14th and today I walked out of school without my coat on. The high today was 50 degrees, normal high is 27 degrees F. We have no snow and let me mention we haven't really had a snowfall yet this year. In the last few days, it has rained a little but nothing worth mentioning I guess.

Lake Superior is at it's lowest level ever due to drought conditions. The lakes around the area are dangerous because of all the warm weather. They did freeze at one point but now are opening up again. The tulips are thinking about waking up and the skunks are up.

I keep telling Kiran we will drive around some night and look at the lights once it snows. It might not happen until they are all down.

Is anyone else having just weird, unseasonable weather in their parts?

Life's little lessons....

2006-12-06T19:24:00.000-06:00

Lesson #1

When staying home sick, always bring child to daycare!!!!

Yesterday I had a some nastiness and didn't go to work. I called in sick at 5 am, set the alarm for 7 and called daycare to tell her I would bring Kiran to school in the afternoon. Basically telling her she had a free day. Kiran woke up at 8:15 and asked what day it was. I told her Tuesday and rolled over. She jumped up on me, why aren't we up yet? I told her I was sick and was going back to sleep. It was then that every 15 minutes she woke me up telling me she was BORED!! The kid is six she doesn't get BORED!! That lasted until I finally emerged out of bed at 11 am.

Lesson #2

Never leave your take-out in the reach of six year old when changing clothes!!!

Every Wednesday, after dance class, we get take out. Tonight was my turn to choose the restaurant. We drove through Culver's. Kiran wanted a grilled cheese and I order a blue burger. When we got home, I dashed upstairs to change my clothes. When I went downstairs to eat my burger, I opened it up and Kiran pointed out what looked like a bite mark on the bun. I was looking at it thinking this is the grossest thing I have ever seen. I got out the phone book to call Culver's when Kiran started laughing. It seems she took a little bite out of it and wrapped it right back up.

Lesson #3

Always make sure you have wine in the house after a hard day!!!

Need I say more......

Feed My Starving Children

2006-11-25T08:51:00.000-06:00

In place of Christmas presents this year, my SIL's family has decided to do something for charity. Yesterday, my SIL arranged for several of us to volunteer at this organization. You spend 2 hours packaging food that will feed children in some of the poorest nations.

When you arrive, you see many photos of starving kids with pictures of healthy children right next to them. They are before and after shots of the children. The first thing you do is watch a four minute video of the organization, what they do, and how it helps the children. Once that is over you wash your hands, put on a lovely hairnet, apron and away you go. Each food package contains enough food to feed 6 children a meal.

The video was heartbreaking to see the children in the garage cans, Kiran asked what that meant that they eat trash and in some cases mud. She told me this morning that 16,000 children die everyday because they are hungry. It is so sad that she remembers the figure.

The first thing is a chicken base, next dried veggies with enough vitamins and minerals for the day, then in goes the soy, and last rice. Once that is done, it is sealed, boxed up, and ready to ship. It works like an assembly line with everyone doing their job. Kiran was fabulous. She worked really hard along side her cousin to help the children of the world.

Yesterday the 55 people there, packaged 8,000 meals. That will shipped around the world.

We take everything we have for granted. The feast we had for Thanksgiving was huge and then to think of the dying children it saddens me.

If anyone wants to see their website here is the link http://www.fmsc.org/. The really neat thing is is 94% of their donations go directly to the children and getting the food to them. It is a Minneasota based organization that is starting up a warehouse in Chicago shortly.

Kiran and I have decided we need to do this once a month for the next year.

Love to all..

My SIX YEAR OLD

2006-11-18T21:29:00.000-06:00

This was my girl's day. She had a wonderful time. In this first picture is Hailey, her best friend from school. They were so cute together, holding hands much of the party. It was the sweetest thing.

In this picture with the cake, she is sitting next to Hailey and Noah (my boyfriend). He jumps around, somedays I will be his boyfriend then Kiran will be and even my niece Helayna makes in the picture someday.

Her in one of the outfits I recently had a person buy while they were in India. It was one of three outfits and the total cost for all three was $25. She loved the outfits and wore it the rest of the day. She even asked if she could wear one to school this week. Let's see, this is very thin material and our average temp for this time of the year is 40. She will have to wear a tshirt and tights but why not.

Admire the cake, it was the first cake I have baked as an adult. Kiran loved it but did comment she needed to tell her friends it was ok because my mom is learning to decorate. Nice kid, but she was happy with the final product.

My baby is all grown up. She isn't that little 8 1/2 month old they put in my arms over 5 years ago. She is just my girl.

We did talk last night about her birthmother and how she might be feeling knowing her birthday was coming up. We both said we wondered what she thinks and so on. Thank you Sefali for the gift you gave me.

The real day is Monday.

No Child Left Behind

2006-11-15T19:34:00.000-06:00

Ok, I am borrowing this from a fellow blogger who must of gotten it from some one else because I have seen it in school.

Today, the state department of education released the test scores in all the MN puublic schools, they were terrible. It had to do with the test being much harder and many other factors. Our wonderful Governor, knew what the test results said, because my school knew we where making our goals in September.

This football analogy is wonderful.......

The New Education System ---The Football Version

1. All teams must make the state playoffs and all MUST win the championship. If a team does not win the championship, they will be on probation until they are the champions, and coaches will be held accountable. If after two years they have not won the championship their footballs and equipment will be taken away UNTIL they do win the championship.

2. All kids will be expected to have the same football skills at the same time even if they do not have the same conditions or opportunities to practice on their own. NO exceptions will be made for lack of interest in football, a desire to perform athletically, or genetic abilities or disabilities of themselves or their parents.

ALL KIDS WILL PLAY FOOTBALL AT A PROFICIENT LEVEL!
3. Talented players will be asked to workout on their own, without instruction. This is because the coaches will be using all their instructional time with the athletes who aren't interested in football, have limited athletic ability or whose parents don't like football.

4. Games will be played year round, but statistics will only be kept in the 4th, 8th, and 11th game.

It will create a New Age of Sports where every school is expected to have the same level of talent and all teams will reach the same minimum goals. If no child gets ahead, then no child gets left behind!
I just love the world of education. I am all for being accountable for my kids learning but we all play at different levels in life.

Life in MN is quiet and wonderful. We are planning a big birthday party for Saturday afternoon. I cannot believe that my girl is going to be six already.

The Election and Congressman Oberstar

2006-11-09T18:13:00.000-06:00

It has been over 48 hours since the polls have closed and the Democrats have done one hell of a job.

I heard yesterday, that over 1/3 of the christian right vote, went to Democrats. Are they getting smarter or what???

On Monday night I had a great conversation with my dad. My dad is old school, still votes Democratic, but is pro-life, as was my mother. When we were talking I asked how can anyone be pro-life and be for the war???? Aren't both of them killing....(BTW- My dad is against both.)

His response was that 2 wrongs don't make a right. The 8th district Congressman from MN is is James Oberstar (the region I grew up in and my dad still lives in.) He might be the third most senior Congressman in the House. He will be the chair of the transportation committee. Go Jim!! When we were talking he did remind me that Jim was pro-life and has never waivered. I cannot agree with the pro-life people but I don't think I could have an abortion either. Then I told my dad that if Kiran comes home at 15 and I cannot tell you that I wouldn't suggest it.

The thing about Jim is, I believe his stance on that one issue, made him a regional candidate and not senate material for MN. He would have made one hell of a senator. I have to add that I love that man. The last time I saw him was in Washington DC several years ago. The state teacher's union was giving him an award for voting 100% with education and labor and we were to give him his award and thank him. I told the two people I was with that Jim was an old family friend and how excited I was to see him again. They had attitude whatever....

By the time we walked out of his office we were all in tears. During the entire meeting which was 30 minutes, he talked about how I looked like my mother, what a great family I had, was my grandma still making the best potica in the world, and back to your mom she was a terrific and very special woman who was taken away from us much to early. Two weeks after that, my dad received a letter from Jim, telling him how much he enjoyed seeing me, how proud my dad must be to have raised a beuatiful woman, and how lucky he was that everytime he could look at me and he could see my mom. When we were getting in the elevator, one of my friends looked at and me and said, "WOW, I have never had such an emotional meeting with an elected official before. Your family really does know him."

Talk about a wonderful person and congressman. I thank God that he was re-elected and will see some happier days in the next session....

Minnesota leads the way....

2006-11-07T21:04:00.000-06:00

Today, the 5th district which includes Minneapolis, has elected the first Muslim member of congress. I congratulate Keith on his victory.

We have also elected our first woman to the US Senate. GO AMY!!!

Now it is a wait for the governor's race. After talking to my dad last night, if the right guy gets elected, it might mean big things for one of my brothers. GO MIKE HATCH!!!!

I am so tired of spending hours every week assessing my kids so the damn republicans can show the damn president we are making progress. I need time to teach, time to plan the lessons I am teaching, I don't need to sit in staff development three hours a week after school. Keeping my fingers crossed that it all works out by the end of the night.

Mary

In 52 hours....

2006-11-05T15:52:00.000-06:00

As I post this, in 52 hours the polls will be closed in MN. This incredible negative campaign will be over with, the people will have made their choices. Only time will tell..

Until then, I am climbing under the covers, not turning on the radio or television unless it is Disney and coming up for air on Tuesday evening.

Cross your fingers friends that change is in the wind......

Halloween Eve.....

2006-10-30T19:24:00.000-06:00

Could the anticipation grow anymore around this house??? I don't think so. Tonight we carved pumpkins with my nieces. Kiran came home and tried on her costume one more time before the big day.

She then asked me if I could come and help out at her party. Of course, the little darlings in my room are having a party so the answer would be no, I cannot. My SIL then popped into the conversation and told Kiran she would stop in and see her and then give her a ride home. That made her very excited.

On the political front, everything that goes wrong around our house we have just blame Bill Clinton like the Republicans tend to do. The other day we were in a store when Kiran dropped something. She looked up at me and said, "That was George Bush's fault!" I thought I was going to die laughing. Can you tell which party she would vote for today????

It is hard to believe that 4 years ago, Senator Paul Wellstone, his lovely wife, wonderful daughter and friends died in an airplane crash about 2 miles from my brother's house. They were on their way to a funeral for a friend's dad. Today I was reading in the paper that his last vote on the Senate floor was a NO vote against the war. How right he was.....You still can find many people sporting their bumper Wellstone! bumper stickers around town.

Dare we start getting excited, one week before the election, that something might really change????

Adoption.....

2006-10-25T19:26:00.000-05:00

Today, one of my dearest friends at school, rounded the corner and looked at me and said friend how are you??? I could tell something was up and then she said, "I am going to be a mommy to a little baby boy in the next weeks." I started crying on the spot.

Anne and her husband have been through so much. They have been married for 9 years and having children didn't seem to be in the picture for them. About 2 1/2 years ago, she told me that they had decided to adopt. At first it seemed, like they wanted the Euro-American baby with the perfect birthparents. As time went by, they changed their tune and yesterday they signed the papers to adopt a little boy once he was born. I cannot tell you how excited I am for them. They deserve to be happy and I pray this all works out.

The one thing that makes me sad is the fact that their little boy will know his birthmother. They have agreed to keep in touch and maybe once a year get together. Oh, how my tune has changed. When I adopted Kiran I didn't want anything but a closed adoption. As she gets older and wants to know the information, I wished I had some answers for her. Someday, I hope we can find her and have all of our questions answered. Until then we can only fantasy about what she looks like, what she is doing, and like Kiran said the other night, wonder if she has any brothers or sisters.

Adoption, it is the coolest word we know in our house.

Mondays.......

2006-10-23T18:01:00.000-05:00

We had a wonderful long weekend in Northern Minnesota. We watched deer, a golden eagle and other wildlife. Last night we came home and relaxed some more.

This morning was going like every other Monday, two of my students who had been traveling, one to London and the other to Vegas, were back and it was great to see them. My Vegas traveler brought me a bracelet of dice. It is wonderful. His grandma told me that he picked it out himself. It makes it even that much more special.

Then the bottom dropped out. One of our bilingual aids came up to my room with a few tears in her eyes. She pulled me out into the hallway and told me that one of my students lost her baby sister this weekend. The baby was 2 1/2 months old and she loved that little girl. It sounds like SIDS. I have been so sad all day. She was in school and trying to keep up a good front but I could tell that it was getting to her. She told me that tonight would be the last time she ever gets to see her sister. How sad is that???

It just made everything else seem so trivial in the picture of things. How do you explain to a 7 year old about life not being fair much less to the mother who treasures her children??? In my 19 years of teaching I have never had a student lose anyone that close to them in age.

Hug your little people tonight, for that matter everyone you love, because you just never know what life has in store.

Kindergarten 2006

2006-10-13T19:06:00.000-05:00

To Close for Comfort

2006-10-10T17:07:00.000-05:00

Today, I was walking outside to pick up my wonderful second graders, when we all heard a pop (sounded like a gunshot) followed by some smoke and a scream. The first thing we did was get everyone inside and safe. The noise came from a home across the street from the school. It all turned out alright and with the police investigation it turned out to be some knuckle head letting off fireworks.

Who on this earth, with what has happened in schools the last few weeks, be so stupid???? During conferences this week, I had a parent ask me how safe their children were. I didn't know how to reply because in reality we are sitting ducks. We have no security in the elementary buildings, maybe a camera or two but not much. Our doors stay open during the day in case someone needs to deliver something, pick up a child and so on. We have started locking all but two doors but hey that doesn't make me feel better.

Today I was close to my first school lockdown. Reality has sunk in. Lord help us all and the children we serve.......

One Proud Mommy

2006-10-03T17:55:00.000-05:00

When I picked up my baby this afternoon, she comes running over to me and puts her hand in her bag. "MOMMY, MOMMY, LOOK WHAT I GOT TODAY!!!" The smile was from ear to ear.

She received the Student of the Month award for her classroom. Her teacher wrote on there that she is a good friend to all in class. Well, I was worried about her being to shy and not making any no friends.

Hopefully she will continue on with these awards for a lifetime.

One Proud Mommy

MINNESOTA TWINS!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-10-01T17:23:00.000-05:00

First, let me thank the KC Royals and their swept of the Detriot Tigers this weekend.......

Second, there is no better feeling then supporting a team while they win or lose. I remember back in 1982 the MN Twins lost 102 games and as a senior in high school I could tell you everyone's batting average.

In 1987 we went from worst to first in one year. In 1991 we played the Braves and were given no chance. We won both of those World Series, 1987 being the sweetest of the two.

At the all-star break, my guys were 12 1/2 games out. Everyone was writing them off. In the middle of August they were 10 games out. On October 1st they have a one game lead......

Today, my MN Twins won their division and homefield advantage. We knew we were getting to the playoffs but had the Yankees in the backs of our minds. This is a team who cannot win at Yankee stadium, a team who loves their home. Today with their victory over Chicago, and the loss that Detriot suffered to KC, we became the division champions......

Joe Mauer, a hometown boy who is as Minnesotan as they come, win the batting title over Derek Jetier (SP). Derek maybe the most handsome guy in the Majors but Joe is probably the nicest......

Kirby and my mom are smiling down on us this evening. My mom was the biggest fan I ever knew. Kirby was the best player we ever had.

GO TWINS!!!! WIN THE SERIES!!!

Life in MN

2006-09-24T08:26:00.000-05:00

The campaigning in MN is already turning nasty. I just cannot believe that people can put ads on the radio and tv that attack a person so. In one district, the first
Muslim is about to be elected to Congress. In his youth he didn't have the perfect life and didn't always make the right choices so the press and Republicans are attacking. I don't know much about him and who ever wins that seat is replacing an institution in Martin Sabo and that is one tough act to follow.

For Senator Mark Dayton's seat, the Republican candidate is attacking his opponent in the dumbest ads I have every seen. His ads are even turning off some of his Republican friends. He attacks her because she is a lawyer and we have to many lawyers in the senate already. That is a great reason not to vote for her.

Not much happening in this house. My dad is home and feeling much better. It seems that every flare up he has is getting worse. The last one was 5 years ago, I hope it is another 5 before the next one.

Kiran is still loving school. This week she came home from school all proud with herself because she passed the shoe tying test. She is an official shoe tie helper in her class, I might add one of three.

My class is still wonderful and smart. I laugh with them everyday and it is a pleasure to go to work every morning. I haven't said that in years.

Mary