Today Emma and I took care of Greg again. We also did some laundry. Emma was not very interested in laundry which surprised me. I had to do some other tasks offer a few treats and then she was eager to help with anything I asked. Yeah Emma. Greg just can't believe how helpful she is when he is having these back problems.

Becky got home and got me out of the house which was nice. We did a few quick errands. Then picked up a pizza for dinner. I got Emma out for some exercise. That was good for her.

I really have northing exciting to say today. Emma is cuddled up to me on the couch next to me keeping my feet warm on a cold night. In Jan ha ha this won't seem cold at all though. I sure have loved having her company and help the past days

More tomorrow. Oh the big news is I had water by my keyboard - spilled it and so am using my husband's computer. On an errand we got a new keyboard but I haven't used it yet. Not a good way to start the day. Normally I don't drink at the computer.

I am using my husbands lap top with the smaller screen so I hope I am not misspelling things. Hope you are you doing okay.

More tomorrow --- Mary and Emma

Yes it snowed here but only a little stayed on the grass and then it melted. We needed the moisture.

Emma and I went with to Greg's pt appointment. Then Greg stayed in the car and we did a bit of grocery shopping. Greg is in so much pain they doubled the medicine and he is not suppose to sit at all till after he is seen on Monday. He is discouraged. Emma notices the difference I think. She wil fetch things for him but is mostly at my side.

Rosa was over while my son did some things here and borrowed our van. I had such fun. We made brownies and guess what happened? When they were done (in a glass pan) I put them on the stove top to cool. Only it was not cool it was on and I didn't realize it (had just browned something and thought i turned it off). It smoked and smelled just horrid.
Greg try to remove it and set it on a cookie sheet to stop the burning but then it exploded.

Thank God Rosa and Emma were not in the room. Peices went everywhere both glass and brownie. What a mess to clean up. But no one got hurt.

The rest of the day was more peaceful. It was such fun to see their family later. Sophia and Tia came after school. They did not join us for dinner tonight as they were going to Grandma Carol's for a sleepover. They were so excited. When it was time to say good bye Rosa came back to kiss Grandpa, Grandma and yes hugged Emma too. What a special day. I also bought a dress for Rosa to wear at the wedding and it looked just great.

Greg has much on his mind and is not liking being so limited in ability and especially in so much pain. Emma and I are trying to help him get ice packs, cold packs, and other things...

Emma joyfully went out and rolled in the snow that first accumulated. By later in the day it was just wet. She was not excited to go out side but did her duty. I was glad she did not roll around in the now muddy yard.

Emma cuddled up in the blanket I had out to try to get Rosa to nap. As soon as they left she claimed the space as her own.

It was a nice day though only a little laundry and dishes were accomplished. Time with Rosa and caring for Greg is more important. I think I will be home all day till Monday or Tuesady....

Hope you have a good weekend - Mary and Emma

A rainy day but I guess tomorrow snow in some areas. Emma will like when there is snow to play in but hopefully that will not happen soon. The first coatings of snow just remind us to get ready for colder weather..except for 1991 when the first snow was a record breaking snow storm.

I am tired and we are headed to bed. I took a long nap after swimming. Thanks to Mike and Tia we have a pretty rug in our living room. Emma is pleased to know where to lay.

Off to bed too tired to thiink....Mary and Emma

The morning after

Obahma won MN too
My candidate I worked for lost
A recount for the state senate race because it is so close.

What a night. We were up late. I was disappointed that Ashwin Madia lost. Ashwin sent us a nice email though listing some of the winners strengths and asking all of us to work to help the state work togeher all parties. He was very gracious. He thanked us for all the support.

I was very moved that Obahma won. I cried a lot. We hugged and cheered and loved his speech. I thought it was great. I also thouoght John McCain did a great job. I liked his speech. Though I don't agree always on his positions for many years I have thought highly of his character and devotion to the county.

I can't see well tonight even with type enlarged. I can see color though so know I am having a few misspellings sorry about that.

Greg was home again today with us due to his back injury. He is still in so much pain but got some medication that is helping deal with the pain. He didn't get that til this morning so neither of us got much sleep at all past days. So today we slept a lot. We both needed it.

I am thinking about when I grew up. I was born in 55. So of course I lived in an all white neighborhood, went to an all white school (till high school where there was no lie ony one black family). I lived in North Mpls. I remember the riots, the burning, the bad bad times. I remember Martin Luther King's message. How important the civil right movement was...

What I truly remember is being nurtured by parents who taught me NEVER to judge people by their race. Parents who must have believed in equal civil rights even before Martin Luther King. They taught me well. But still I lived in my own little all white world.

I did not understand the violence. My mom told me about how it was when blacks could not swim at the pool in her town. I learned about Rosa Parks...so many things I recall.

But more than anything I remember being sad and confused. Why did Martin Luther King die. Why did my neighbor when he sold his house tell everyone not to worry he would not sell to a black familY. (My parents did NOT feel that way).

In those days we by age 10 or so took the bus downtown and it went through the then called negroe neighborhoods. I wondered why the blacks all sat together even if there was an empty seat right bu us? I was so puzzled b it all.

So now the changes we all have seen. I was so proud to share this proud day of electing a black president to the USA with my family. I supported him because I felt he was a great leader...but last night it struck me how hopefully the fact that he was black will impact the future of my grandchildren. I was their with my children and my daughter in law who is also black. I cried I want a better world for my grandchildren and I have hope. I am so pleased that I listened on this historic moment.

When I taught second grade I had a very diverse classroom as was the neighbor hood and school. Some very significant damage and graffiti had happened on the outside of the school. We had to explain to our classes that it would be repaired, cleaned up and why you don't do such things.

One very lovely young boy pointed to a classmate and said "My Dad said someone like him did it !" Yep the white child's dad thought someone who was black did it. I was saddened. We always talked about how are class was a team. All were equal. I thought of that boy who now is a young man. Did he vote for Obahma or even if he favored McCain did he recognize that a person of any race or gender has the right to run for office if qualified.

I heard from some McCain supporters and they also said how this race made a statement about America...how hope we can continue to work on this issue. To accept people of diverse backgrounds....though I am not naive not everyone is at that place yet.

I am proud to live in a country where we vote for leaders, and can respect differences

Mary

We had all my children here to have a light supper and watch Election return coverage. I mean all of us are here now. I hope to write more later. I hope you voted. A friend of mine with MS waited in line two hours to vote. She didn't know she could vote absentee and will next time. It was very hard on her to wait in line.

Rosa is having a blast with all the attention. She has so much energy and is so fun. We had water exercise and then a special long leisurely lunch to celebrate election day with the MS swim group. Not all could come but it was great. i wore my Madia for Congress shirt. The waiter asked me about him as he wasn't so sure due to negative adds. Karen and I both helped the campaign so answered his questions. He said yeah after we chatted and he was off duty he would definitely vote for Madia.

I know not all will agree with my political choices. I am unsure if all the candidates I want will win. Yet today don't we have to really celebrate that we can voice different opinions in a free country. Also thrilled we vote for our leaders.

I am off to hear the election news. Boy does it echo in my living room as I don't have a rug yet nor are blinds up. But we are having fun.

What a special day. I know i will be disappointed though if those I worked on their campaign due not win. So many worked so hard... oh well I am trying to stay positive.

Mary And Emma who is handling the excitement well - wish you a good day.

Mary and Emma