TOGETHER WE STAND

November 4th was a momentous empowering occasion for America no matter what your political views. It proved without a doubt, one could achieve their dreams with hard work. No matter what your political views, we should all join in celebrating the American Dream. Both candidates in their speeches, eloquently struck the right cords. It was a proud time to be an American.


In two years of gruelling campaigning, Barack has fended off personal attacks without blinking. Accused of being un-American, Obama responded with uncommon ease and no traces of anger. Barack redefined "never let them see you sweat". It was apparent while addressing a nation wrestling with a crippling economic collapse (a wavering market, that will hopefully gain strength with the security of a leader) and maintaining an iron strength during the debates, Obama remained calm and steadfast.


So, who is the real Obama, the man who could be the country's first black president?

Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961, the son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas who met at the University of Hawaii. He was to say later that they "weren't well-off or well-known, but shared a belief that in America, their son could achieve whatever he put his mind to."

His parents separated when he was 2 and were subsequently divorced. His mother remarried and moved to Indonesia, where Obama spent ages 6 through 10. He returned to Hawaii for high school, then went to Columbia University and Harvard law school, where he made headlines as the first black president of the Harvard Law Review - seen as a stepping stone to any number of career opportunities.

He had earlier worked in Chicago as a community organizer with a church-based group seeking to improve living conditions in poor neighborhoods. Practicing civil rights law back in Chicago after Harvard, Obama's advocacy work led him to run for the Illinois State Senate, where he served for eight years.

Obama's rise from obscure state legislator to presidential candidate was nothing short of meteoric. In 2004, as the Democratic nominee for a US Senate seat from Illinois, Obama got an unusual opportunity to deliver a prime-time address to the party's national convention.

In words that are now standard components of his presidential speech, Obama said: 'There is not a liberal America and a conservative America - there's the United States of America.'

Although party leaders placed him on the podium simply to get more exposure for his Senate race, they were bowled over by his ability to command a crowd. My dear friend and early Obama supporter, John Gorman (R-Austin) often referred to Obama as a "Rock Star" and "Not since John Kennedy has there been such a following" Before long, Obama was recognized as THE speech maker on the Democratic party, cultivating a following that would soon urge him to bid for the presidency as the war in Iraq spiralled out of control.

His eloquence has always won him admirers - even the woman who was to become his wife in 1992, Michelle Obama, who was at first skeptical of the Harvard hotshot who came to intern in her high-power law firm in Chicago.

In early 2007, with mounting US casualties in Iraq eroding Republican fortunes, Obama formed a committee to explore his presidential bid, just days before Senator Hillary Clinton did the same.

For the first time in history, a black man and a woman would battle it out for their party's presidential nomination, a race that went to the bitter end in June, when Obama emerged the winner.

Obama leads in most polls against McCain, buoyed by financial uncertainty and his own reassuring presence that impressed admirers such as Colin Powell, the decorated retired four-star general, Bush's one-time secretary of state and one of the nation's leading Republican figures.

Endorsing Obama, Powell turned the tables on his own party, saying he was uneasy about McCain's erratic reactions during the finance crisis.

Powell, an African American, cited Obama's 'ability to inspire' and called him a 'transformational figure' who could bring about a 'generational change.'


I have to admit, this moved me. All Americans should celebrate the shedding of racism. This proves citizens should not judge a man by the color of his skin but his character. Congratulations to you, President elect Obama, First Lady Michelle and your beautiful girls.

This is a time where all Americans should band together and work to unite during this new beginning and fresh start.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

REST IN PEACE, MY FRIEND

This week has been a hard one. Death in always inevitable but never welcomed. I lost one of my dearest friends and Texas lost one of its most colorful, "larger than life" true characters -- legendary Texas trial attorney Tom Alexander died of a heart attack over the weekend at the young age of 78. I always thought of Tom as sort of "bullet-proof Teddy Bear" ... but a heart bigger than Houston!

Tom Alexander was considered one of the most outspoken and highly respected lawyers among his field. What always amazed me is there was not anything he could not debate on. We had meaningful conversations about law, fine arts, sports, philosophy, politics and some occasional "hearsay" (which was T.A.'s codename for "gossip") I loved hearing the story about him trying to get horse racing passed in Austin and the filibustering Senator Jimmy Phillips and he used to endure. I could also listen to him tell over and over of the mischief he and (his best friend and fellow Barrister) the late Stanley Krist could get into. I would be remiss if I did not mention some of the best stories involved the great Private Eye, Clyde Wilson, who in irony passed away just hours before his best pal, Tom did this weekend. I can imagine them all in heaven now. Finding who robbed Peter to pay Paul and how they were going to take the greedy SOB down! Central Casting could never have invented characters like the aforementioned. They just do not make them anymore.

No topic was off subject, but he always made it a point to listen, even when he knew you were wrong. He could think on his feet faster than anyone I had ever met. He had a "gift" and was a true "word warrior" of the English language. He was charming, funny, witty, engaging and most of all eloquent. People truly just gravitated towards him like a magnet.

I first met Tom back in the early 90's when he represented the wife of a sports star in divorce. I was a young reporter covering the case. The couple's 911 calls were released and started to get sticky. I watched in amazement as he made his summation and I realized I was listening to the rare qualities only usually possessed in televangelists. In the midst of the trial the couple patched up their differences. Tom wore many hats that way, sometimes defender and others peacemaker.

Just a few years later, we were reintroduced at his Kentucky Derby party. Known for his wild attire, he did not disappoint that day either. I will never forget his custom made white alligator shoes, yellow pants, powder blue seersucker jacket and pink shirt with an ascot displaying a prism of pastels. We were standing among a circle of ten guests (among the darlings of the Derby was also Houston Chronicle sports voice, Mickey Herskowitz) on a gorgeous Kentucky afternoon and our friend (who was the Racing Commissioner) teased him for being dressed like a peacock. TA slowly turned a calculated shift and looked at me directly in the eye and inquired what I thought of his attire. I was stumped for a moment and said "well, the brighter the plumage the wiser the bird" He turned that twinkle on in his eye and laughed so hard. We became instant best friends. That was textbook TA, he loved a witty, lighthearted comeback, even at his own expense. When he raised his Maker's Mark to you, it was a Southern gentleman's "atta boy!"

I got a call about a year later from TA asking if I would like to come watch him in his closing argument on a very big oil and gas case. Naturally, I would never pass up the opportunity. He said in his best "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" accent, "Kid, I will send my Driver, Mr Jackson and look for him in the Rolls" (TA only traveled "old school" first class) As I was escorted by Mr Jackson to the courthouse he handed me a large envelope and asked me to wait in the hallway on the bench. I could see TA waving his hands, storytelling and talking to the jurors. I was thinking I was going to miss something very important, so I inquired about going in and Mr Jackson motioned for me to wait. He was captivating even when I could not hear what he was saying. I could see Tom finished his "sermon" and opposing council had the floor. About five minutes into the other lawyers argument, Mr Jackson asked me to walk in and hand Mr Alexander the envelope and then take a seat on the front row. I did as I was told ....every eye in the jury was on me as I presented the envelope. Tom thanked me with warm (silent) hand gestures, including a pat on the back. Needless to say, Tom won his case and there was nothing in the envelope. Classic TA! The lead juror pulled him aside and said "Mr Alexander, I just have to know, was there anything in that envelope?" He looked shocked and said "yes mam, of course, there were confidential documents pertaining to the case" (insert sly smile). She then gave him a hug and said "Mr, Alexander, YOU BE STYLIN' " In turn, he named one of his racing fillies "YOU BE STYLIN"

Over the years, I became like an adopted addition of the family. His daughter Susan is one of my families most prized treasures. Susan and I used to joke he was Denny Crane long before the Boston Legal character was ever thought of. I cannot imagine not being able to pick up the phone and running a story by him or sharing some "hearsay"

Godspeed TA, the mold has been broken, my friend. YOU BE STYLIN'!

Happy Halloween

By early evening we switched to a "Can Can" Girl.... after we said our "Trick or Treats" Sinclair did a dance "the big girls" (Veronica, Cristi and Robin) taught her!

Little Bo Peep may have lost her sheep but her Daddy was never too far behind!

GET OUT AND VOTE

My best friend Melissa flew into Houston today (from her second "Sooner" home in Norman, OK)  and we went and voted.

I was happy to do so.  This is my God given right and civic duty.

I find myself troubled, though, because I have been challenged by some folks regarding my candidate of choice, John McCain.

I don’t like to be challenged. I don’t like to be tested. I realize that it’s important, sometimes, to submit to that, but there’s a deep part of me that wants people to realize that I have given so much thought to the issue — whatever the issue is — and my intentions are good. My support of McCain has been long-standing, although he was not my first choice, Rudy was.

I have though, been having some internal musings about the whole situation. Why do I support McCain? Is he the most conservative? No. Do I agree with all of his voting decisions and public stances? No. But, still, I support him.

I have come to the realization that I’m not as conservative as I once was. I have also come to the realization that my hopes for a president lie not just in what he represents, but in his leadership abilities. The ability to lead well is a HUGE issue for me. 

In other words, I learned that, just because someone disagrees with me doesn’t make them wrong.

I’m NOT saying, “It’s all relative.” I don’t believe that. There are definitely areas of sin, and there are definitely areas of black and white. But, beyond that, there’s a whole lot of grey area shaded with opinion, translation, personal values, personality, personal history, personal convictions… and on and on.

I realize that he is not as conservative as some. But neither is he as liberal as perceived by some others. Republicans are cutting off their noses to spite their faces. Even if he’s “soft” on issues that some of us would rather he’d be hard on, he’s still, overall, had a very strong conservative record over the entire course of his political career.

In Arizona, he has a 19% disapproval rating, and that’s among Democrats and Republicans. The most conservative don’t approve (for reasons that seem ridiculous to me), and for more understandable reasons, the most liberal don’t approve. But other than that, by those who know him best, he has had a STRONG approval rating since he took national office in 1982. For 25+ years, he has proven himself as a strong leader who can get the job done. He runs his mouth, he ruffles feathers, he’s unafraid to have friends who think/believe differently than he does. But he’s a GOOD statesman. Regardless of what the most extreme would accuse him of, or hold against him, he has been a fantastic Congressman.

I wish he was vocally a little more supportive of 2nd amendment issues (though his voting record shows him to be pro-gun). I wish his economic policy was a little more clear. I’d like to know where he stands on US sovereignty issues (though, from his military and POW history, I can’t imagine him supporting any sort of North American Union or anything like that, but from what I can find, he hasn’t been really vocal about his beliefs on the matter). He does support the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, though why he felt differently for so long is beyond me. I also wish he was younger, but, oh, well.

I like his sense of humor. I like that he’s unafraid to speak his mind. I like that he’s tough. I value the fact that all seven of his kids have a good relationship with him; to me, that speaks volumes.

I think his is the face that should be turned to the world, saying, “We are Americans. We believe strongly in some really significant things, and we’re willing to back it up, but if you have some disagreements, I’ll probably listen to you. Some areas are non-negotiable, but I am interested in hearing you out.” Unlike Bush, he’s at least willing to listen to (most) others who don’t agree with him. AND, unlike Bush, he’s not really a “damn the torpedoes” kind of guy; he’s more willing to at least try to build consensus, even though he’s not always successful. Bush says, “This is what I’m doing, and I don’t care what anyone thinks, and I don’t care if anyone else is on board.” McCain says, “This is what I plan on doing, and this is why I think it’s a good decision; I’d like you to come along.” In my opinion, that’s better leadership, and we need a president who is a good leader, not just has good ideas. In every situation McCain has been in, for all of his life (at least POW-era and afterwards), he has proven himself to be a LEADER. That is VERY important to me.

I am very firm in my resolve of supporting McCain, even though he’s not perfect; I think he would be a fantastic leader of the American people, and a good statesman FOR the American people in foreign affairs.

So. Anyone still with me???

Please, exercise your right to vote. I’d be thrilled if you’d join me in support of McCain, though I would understand if you don’t; he’s not perfect. But, please, support someone (I’d be especially pleased if that “someone” was at least a Republican), and don’t just complain about the choices available, and PLEASE don’t cut off your conservative nose to spite your Republican face by saying you’d rather vote for Obama than McCain. That’s just stupid. In my still-not-so-humble blond Polish opinion.

"SWEETS WEEK" IS UPON US....

Tis the Season....

There is a plague upon my house. As many of you know, we have been battling staph the past few months. Not long ago, Sinclair got a double ear infection. We have all been flirting with sickness (respiratory) since Hurricane Ike.  Early Sunday morning, Sinclair awoke at 3 AM to a bad cough and a continuous runny nose and a fever.   By the time we arrived home on Sunday night Sinclair was battling 103 fever and chills.  

John and I  started a series of alcohol based sponge baths, to bring her fever down.  This followed the Mortin/Tylenol cocktails.  My main concern, especially with a fever rising so rapidly is to make sure the neck maintains range of motion.  Which is the first sign of Meningitis.

I called our (now former) Pediatrician, Dr L on Sunday evening to enlighten him of our situation.  I never received a call back until two hours after I placed the second call.  Then the call was only from an answering service.  My wonderful husband reminded me this "habit" of not returning calls happened the only two other times we had called in two years that we had been going to Dr. L.  

Finally, when I had not heard back from our pediatrician I pulled out all the stops and ended up emailing our friend and Chief of Surgery at Texas Children's, Dr Sam Stal.  I explained Sinclair's symptoms and how we were handling it.  Fortunately, within moments I got an email from Dr Stal assuring me we were handling it in the appropriate manner.  Dr Stal did assure me Sinclair needed to get to be seen first thing the next morning.  Also to get as much liquids in her as possible.  John and I made a fabulous discovery that Pedialite makes Popsicles the same color as Dora the Explorers running buddy, "Boots" the monkey.  This is brilliant market -- sheer genius worthy of the Nobel prize!

Monday we loaded up the ghetto sled and headed to Dr L's office.  I explained all her symptoms, that included vomiting.  He took out his flashlight and looked into her throat and immediately said "That looks so gross" (note to self:  Does my health plan cover such a detailed diagnosis?) He swabbed her throat and assured us it was not strep.  This was a concern since two children in her class have been confirmed with strep.  I asked if we could take a blood sample and he said "it was not necessary, she had the crud" (again, this man went to MIT  and he could not come up with a better description?)  I left with no medicine, a very sick baby and no more informed, yet a lot more frustrated.

I gently mentioned to Dr. L that he never returned my call back and he said "I am not that tekkie when it comes to phones" and he pulled out his $15 (I know because he told me the price) Radio Shack disposable cell with tape wrapped around it. I mentioned he needed to get a Blackberry and even said we probably had an extra one at home I could bring him to test drive. He said he rarely checked email (nice man but he was sliding downhill fast in my eyes) but he admired my Blackberry Bold 3G and glanced at my inbox and saw that Dr. Stal had emailed me. He said "I am impressed he is a really big deal, he is the cleft lip King" -- I laughed and said "he was kind enough to talk me off the medical ledge when you did not call me back" We both laughed but I must admit I was a bit perturbed.  

By Monday evening, 8 hours later,  I got a phone call from my old friend and our new Pediatrician, Dr. Don Schaffer.   He said "If she gets any worse call my cell, home or text me,  just come to my office first thing in the morning" (To say it was instant love and admiration does not do the feeling justice)  A Pediatrician with a cell phone?? Doncha love modern medicine??

The following morning we are waiting in a room and "Dr Donnie" as everyone calls him walks in and Sinclair starts balling.  He looks at her and laughs "we have never met, how do you not know we won't be new friends?"  She looked at him with tears in her big blue eyes and said "I don't want any new friends"  He proceeded to swab, take blood and thoroughly evaluate.  She then showed her appreciation by vomiting everywhere.  Conclusion:  She had a viral infection in her throat and a bacterial infection in her tummy.  Dr Schaffer told me it was imperative that she drink lots of fluids (no milk or juice though).  Sinclair being on the verge of dehydration may require an IV if she keeps on this path.  

It has been impossible to get Gatorade and water in the Princess.  Mommy, on the other hand needs a drink but is too tired to uncork the wine bottle!!!  

I HAVEN’T BEEN OUT OF MY HOUSE IN DAYS!

Okay, not really. I have driven  my daughter to our "old" (as in former) Pediatrician and our new Pediatrician.   Alas, our "limp as a dishrag" daughter have really put us on lock down and I have not had any meaningful mommy-to-mommy contact for  a week now.

Our week in the isolation unit has been a reminder to me that the myriad of kid's activities that consume our weekdays are as much for ME as they are for my child.  I have been missing those little opportunities to see adults on a daily basis. Hopefully, a healthier (and more social) week lies ahead.  This includes back in the blogging world too!

PASSING OF A FASHION LEGEND

Mr. Blackwell, the acerbic designer whose annual worst-dressed list skewered the fashion felonies of celebrities from Zsa Zsa Gabor to Britney Spears, has died. He was 86.

Blackwell died Sunday of complications from an intestinal infection.

Blackwell, whose first name was Richard, was a little-known dress designer when he issued his first tongue-in-cheek criticism of Hollywood fashion disasters for 1960 -- long before Joan Rivers and others turned such ridicule into a daily affair.

Year after year, he would take Hollywood's reigning stars and other celebrities to task for failing to dress in what he thought was the way they should.

Being dowdy was bad enough, but the more outrageous clothing a woman wore, the more biting his criticism. He once said a reigning Miss America looked "like an armadillo with cornpads."

A few other examples:

Madonna: "The Bare-Bottomed Bore of Babylon."

Barbra Streisand: "She looks like a masculine Bride of Frankenstein."

Christina Aguilera: "A dazzling singer who puts good taste through the wardrobe wringer."

Meryl Streep: "She looks like a gypsy abandoned by a caravan."

Sharon Stone: "An over-the-hill Cruella DeVille."

Lindsay Lohan: "From adorable to deplorable."

Patti Davis: "Packs all the glamour of an old, worn-out sneaker."

Ann Margret: "A Hells Angel escapee who invaded the Ziegfeld Follies on a rainy night."

Camilla Parker-Bowles: "The Duchess of Dowdy."

Bjork: "She dances in the dark - and dresses there, too."

Spears: "Her bra-topped collection of Madonna rejects are pure fashion overkill."

The critic acknowledged he had mixed feelings about appearing so publicly mean. Most of the women he put through the wringer, he said, were people he genuinely admired for their talent if not their fashion sense.

"The list is and was a satirical look at the fashion flops of the year," he said in 1998. "I merely said out loud what others were whispering. ... It's not my intention to hurt the feelings of these people. It's to put down the clothing they're wearing."

He told the Los Angeles Times in 1968 that designers were forgetting that their job "is to dress and enhance women. ... Maybe I should have named the 10 worst designers instead of blaming the women who wear their clothes."

Surprisingly, the woman who topped his worst dressed list for 1982 (announced in early 1983) was the newly married Diana, Princess of Wales. He said she had gone from "a very young, independent, fresh look" to a "tacky, dowdy" style. She quickly regained her footing and
wound up as a regular on Blackwell's favorites list, the "fabulous fashion independents."
Blackwell had started out as an actor himself, having been spotted by a talent agent while still in his teens. He landed a job as an understudy in the Broadway production of Sidney Kingsley's heralded drama "Dead End."

Although he got to the play the role of the Dead End Kids' leader on stage only one time, it led him to Hollywood where he landed bit parts in such films as "Little Tough Guy" (uncredited) and "Juvenile Hall" (as Dick Selzer).

He abandoned his acting career in 1958 after failing to make it in movies and switched to fashion design. He claimed to be the first to make designer jeans for women, and his salon had begun to attract a few Hollywood names when he issued his first list covering the fashion
faux pas of 1960. (Italian star Anna Magnani and Gabor were among his early victims.)

It quickly brought him the celebrity he had long coveted, and he quickly became a favorite on the TV talk show circuit. He also became for a time, in his words, "The worst bitch in the world."

He hosted his own show, "Mr. Blackwell Presents," in 1968 and appeared as himself in such TV shows as "Matlock" and "Matt Houston."

In 1992, he sued Johnny Carson for claiming that he had added Mother Teresa to his list, saying the comment exposed him to hatred and ridicule. NBC's response was that the "Tonight Show" host was obviously joking.

"Did you see what he said about Mother Teresa? 'Miss Nerdy Nun is a fashion no-no,'" Carson had said. "Come on now, that's just too much."

During his heyday the issuing of Blackwell's annual list was an eagerly anticipated media event.

On the second Tuesday in January he would assemble reporters at his mansion for a lavish breakfast before making a dramatic entrance for the television cameras.

By the turning of the millennium, however, the list had lost its juice and Blackwell took to issuing it by e-mail.

Born Richard Sylvan Selzer in 1922, Blackwell recounted in his autobiography, "From Rags to Bitches," a troubled, poverty-ridden childhood in which he was variously a truant, thief and prostitute.

Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama for President

We started hearing rumblings of Colin Powell endorsing Barack on "Meet the Press." While there was rampant speculation that Powell -- one of the most respected and admired individuals in America -- would endorse U.S. Sen. Barack Obama -- no one knew for sure.

Now we do. This morning on "Meet the Press," Powell said he will cast his ballot for the Illinois senator. Powell's response to Tom Brokaw was incredibly powerful. What it boiled down to was his deep concern with the hard right shift the Republican Party has taken. In contrast, Powell said Obama's campaign has been about inclusiveness and it recognizes the demographic and social realities of our changed world. Powell said that while he has known U.S. Sen. John McCain for 25 years and likes and respects him, he was very surpised by McCain's pick of Gov. Sarah Palin.

Powell said he has watched both candidates particularly closely over the last seven weeks. Obama has been steady at the helm. McCain has not. I imagine Powell's endorsement will swing moderate Republicans and some independents.

Powell -- the soft-spoken, Republican soldier who has served three GOP presidents -- is an icon. The power of this endorsement will have huge ramifications.

SHE SAID WHAT??????

If sticking band-aids and blowing bubbles were an Olympic event....this child would hold more Gold medals than Phelps!!!

Sinclair is barely two, yet her talking skills are off the charts. She has been a non-stop source of entertainment. While at the farm last night, we laughed she maybe the youngest auctioneer ever at the Fort Worth Stockyards. I know all of you with toddlers and young children know what I mean by this! I try and jot down funny things that she says so that I can remember them forever! I was reading back through a few of my favorites and thought I'd share a few:

Home = "Hewwwston House"
Gummi Bears = "Bumpy Bears"
Elephants = "Effelants"
Trampoline = "Tramp a plane"
Apple Cider = "Apple Spider"
Monkeys = "Spunkies"
Pillows = "Peee-does"
Godiva = "Chocolatta"
Thank you in Spanish = "GrassyAss"
Christmas = "kissmiss"
Shrimp = "Chimps"
9 in Spanish = "New-evv-meee"
Windshield Wipers = "Wish Woppers"
Her dog, Clementine = "Time"

And a few other humorous tidbits:

She been into dressing up lately. In the last 24 hours he's been a fairy, a painter and a clown. We were watching the travel channel and they were doing a piece on the oil rich destination of Dubai and the magnificent hotels.  I was ecstatically rattling on about what a fascinating place it was and could not wait to visit. Sinclair ran to John's closet and she wrapped John's Hermes ties around her head and said "Daddy, look at me!  Dooo-Bye princess," I thought my manly husband was going to fall over laughing

One of my favorite things as of late is whenever she wants to be held, she will say, "Can I hold you, Mommy?" Oh, it melted my heart...

Last night I made a banana pudding after dinner. I whipped the egg whites to make the meringue.  Sinclair watched me as I slid it into the oven.  When I handed it to John he replied, "Thanks Babe. I love ya." A few moments later, Sinclair said "Mommy! What me???" I  gave some to Sinclair and she did not miss a beat by replying "Thanks Babe, Love ya, Babe."

And last, but certainly not least, while we were preparing for the debates this week - we had dinner, got out of the "bubble tubby" (bath time), then she had "luvv on Liddie" time and she looked up to the television and said  "Rock Bobama on teeeveee" Anytime you think they are not paying attention,  you better think again. they pick up more than we realize!

Do you record priceless things your kids say? What are some of your favorites?

"911, What's your emergency?"

Not exactly the poster child for the "Men in Blue"