New Orleans Has a New Mayor......

Mitch Landrieu is the new mayor-elect of New Orleans. This is almost as historic as Barack Obama becoming President. Landrieu is the first white mayor of this majority black city since the 70's. And as usual, everyone is now pledging to work together, just as our new President, the Congress and the Senate promised in 2009 on Inauguration Day. And as usual, they've been at each other's throats ever since. No matter what your political leanings are, don't you just get tired of it?

There's something to be said for not having one party controlling everything. When one party controls everything, there is no incentive to work together. At the beginning, Democrats had no reason to really work with Republicans, just as Republicans had no incentive to work with Democrats from 2000 to 2006. Don't you ever wish it was really all about the voters and what's best for the country, as opposed to what's easier for politicians who are always in 're-election' mode?

It's almost over.....

Well, Friday is here and it's a mixed bag at best. The school and work week are over, but my husband is still out of town, and Mardi Gras and the Superbowl have descended on New Orleans. It's exciting and maddening at the same time. Yet, I digress....

I feel like I'm doing a million things at once, and none of them with mastery. Is there such a thing as having it all? I don't think so, which is why I stayed at home with my older children. Now, I feel like my youngest is getting the short end of the stick with the new schedule I'm trying to manage. I do get to pick her up from school on most days, but I don't get to go on field trips and by the time we all get home, I'm not in much of a mood to do anything else but sleep. But I can't do that because there's homework for all of us, dinner and housework.

As much as I try to put these things into context, I'm having a tough time getting everything done while trying to give my youngest the quality time she deserves. The idea that I won't be in school forever, that one day I'll make a more substantial living, and that I'll be better able to provide gives me little comfort.

Tiring Week

Sorry I haven't been around for a few days, but this week has just started and I'm already tired. My husband is in Miami covering the Superbowl which makes me a single mom for a few days. Hats off to you ladies who can do this 24/7! To start things off, my six year old lost her morning ride to school when her friend fell sick. Thank goodness my next door neighbor has a child who goes to the same school and was able to pick up the slack. The 16-year-old has rehearsal for her play almost everyday, and her pick up time can range from 5 PM to 6:30 PM. This is fine except for the fact that I have class two nights a week.

So here's a special thank you to my Mom and my sister, my neighbor, my older girls and the other school moms who've helped me out this week. I could not do this without you.

Small Bites in Action

This week my husband will be out of town (he's on his way to cover the Saints in Miami), so we four girls are on our own. You never realize what your spouse really does until they're out of the picture for a few days. My husband does all the grocery shopping (mostly because he doesn't like me adding things like cleaning products to the cart), half of the driving of kids to schools and some of the cooking. I've already told my older girls that we'll be getting organized this weekend.

All the laundry has to be done and the outfits for me and the youngest will be ironed and chosen for the week. I have to have her at her friend's house every morning for 7:15 in order to get to school and since I already hate being up early, the more organized we are, the longer I can sleep.

We'll make three or four extra dinners this weekend, so that we'll only have to reheat during the week, and one day I'll take the girls out or bring food home. My mom will help out on those days when I have class, and my oldest will slip into Dad's shoes for evening pick-ups.

So let's all take a deep breath and get ready for next week!! Go Saints!

Go Saints!

Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints on their first ever trip to the Super Bowl!!

Back To School

The nervous energy is back. I left work at 2:30, came home and made dinner for the family and plan to be at school early so that I can go to the bookstore and get supplies. After one semester I feel invested in this portion of my life and will work very hard to see it through. I'm also trying to plan my days in such a way that I don't lose my mind!

This will take another family meeting. Since I've been out of school, the girls have gotten a little lax on their chores and I got a little tired of staying on top of them. But everyone has to pitch in if this is to work, so whenever I can make double dinners I will. I'll save laundry for the weekend and make an extra effort to make extra time for my youngest. It's very easy for the youngest to get lost in the shuffle of our very busy schedules.

Bathroom update! The painting is done, but I still have a lot of little things left like putting up the shower curtain, curtains at the window, caulking the surround, etc. I wanted to have all of this done before tonight, but a sinus infection got in my way. Keeping to one of my resolutions, I'm going to take small bites and commit a half hour each night until the work is done.

Off to school!!

Happy 50th!

I'm pretty sure my husband had a good birthday. We had a family brunch at his brother's house, then he went to the Saints game, where I think the Saints won 45 to 14, but don't quote me. I got him a really nice Oster blender because he likes to make smoothies. That was the good news.

The bad news is that my perfectionistic sixteen year old is still moping about getting a 'C' on a quiz. I hate to see any kid put this kind of pressure on themselves. It's hard for kids this age to see the big picture because their worlds tend to be a very small sphere which encompasses their family, friends, and school. This morning I gave her a suggestion. Try thinking about someone else for a while, like one of the children at my literacy center. Her home burned down just before Christmas, now she and her pregnant mother are homeless. The child's reading library was also lost, so I suggested she and her little sister go through our children's books and see what we can give.

Maybe she could think about the people in Haiti? If getting a 'C' on a quiz was the biggest problem teenage girls had in that country, it might be the best day of their lives. So come on you teenagers who are so connected and into saving the world! Why not get together with your friends and figure out a way to help someone in real need? How about remembering that five years ago, your city was also devastated and that many people came to your aid to help rebuild your life and your city?

It's just a suggestion from your Mom.