23 Days to Election

Wake up.  Slap on Sticker.  Always the same.  Wear Sticker everyday.  Children notice when Sticker not on their mother.  Today have big events - pumpkin patch and grocery store.  Exciting.

Head to pumpkin patch.  Walking with children (and pushing stroller) into pumpkin patch.  Thinking very much about Sticker and perceptions and race and the race.  See Obama/Biden sticker on vehicle.  No other stickers anywhere.  Feeling conspicuous, as if wearing Sticker politicizing everything Sticker-wearer does.  What others think of Sticker-wearer?  What preconceived notions lurking in heads?  Which ones true?  Notice Sticker-wearer thinks/ponders same of others.  See families playing around hay stacks.  Climbing.  Jumping.  Sitting on pumpkins.  Posing for cameras.  Much laughter.  Much happiness.  Hay rides.  Carousel.  Bounce houses.  Vibrant kids everywhere.  Talk to other parents while watching kids play.  Breaking glass to friendliness seems harder with Sticker on shirt.  Not sure care too much.

Find self wondering about friends and politics.  Is sharing political leanings necessary?  Not sharing, as in discuss.  Sharing as in agree.  How much of personal politics shapes how parent and see world?  Remember quote from Sarah Jessica Parker.  Said "we're all mothers and can all agree on many things that are important".  True.  Can agree on that.  Then what?  One side of pendulum believe government needs to play role in all important matters.  Right side says leave government out.  Smaller government better.  How do perspectives change how mother?  How parent?  How live daily lives? 

Is it borne out in how respond to daily issues?  One side more incline to blame others or self for mishaps?  Overdrawn checkbook.  Scary traffic moment.  Drop something in store.  Everyone now blame others?  Nothing anyone's fault anymore.  Or, does one side more likely to take personal responsibility?  This perspective of outside blame not simply about daily grind, wonder if also perspective on bail out?

Many things to ponder.  Pay for pumpkins.  Leave.  Lunch.  Then to grocery store.

At grocery store.  Completely forget wearing Sticker.  Completely.  Focusing on shepherding three children through store while accumulating necessary goods for week ahead.  Very pleasant day at store.  Had no idea store full of Senior Citizens at noon on Mondays.  Excellent time to shop.  Quiet.  Friendly.  All very nice to family.  Stop in front of bread display.  Need two loaves for week.  Sticker-wearer laughing with boys.  Biggest boy asks for Mom's cold hands on neck.  Boy shrieks with laughter.  Notice blocking aisle.  Apologize.  Elderly woman smiles and says, "enjoy your children".  Smile.  Say thank you.  Wonder if older generation generally kinder?  Not in big hurry.  Wonder as leave if Sticker noticed?  Agree with politics?  Or simply more tolerant?  More aware of shifts in time, so not as excited?  Even notice Sticker?  Either way, very nice store trip.

Home for remainder of day.  Lovely.

24 Days to Election

Back to air show.  Kids love it.  Take guests.  Same experience as yesterday.  Good people.  Good experiece.  Only this time know where to find car.  Good thing to know where to find car.

Home.  Tired.  A lot of air show.  See old friends.  Friends about Sticker.  Tell about commitment to Sticker.  Friends think fun to wear Sticker daily.  It is. 

Spend rest of day at home.  Trying to not think about election.  Too easy to lose mind over it.

26 Days to Election

Wake up.  Slap on Sticker.  Ready for basic, usual day.  Drop off oldest.  Take second child to preschool.  Amazing thing happens.  Mom who talks to Sticker-wearer asks if wear same sticker every day.  No.  Laugh.  Tell mom pleased after Palin RNC speech.  Ordered 50 stickers at www.johnmccain.com.  Commitment.  Wear one sticker every day until Election.  Mom nod head.  Smiles.  Whoa!  Actual interaction about Sticker!

Hold child hand.  Walk hall to classroom.  Sign in.  Teacher ask about Sticker.  Where get?  Smile.  Tell same answer.  Other mom say want yard sign.  Other teacher say yes!  Need yard sign to balance neighbor!  Another mother declare love Palin!  Suddenly realize Sticker inspired five women to discuss election!  Say yard signs free at GOP headquarters.  Say someone need get bunch signs and bring to distribute.  Nodding. 

Mom who deliberate with no eye contact gone.  Feel bad.  Sticker-wearer still girl.  Not want feelings hurt.  Still.  Maybe nothing about politics involved?  Maybe no eye-contact because Sticker-wearer constantly have unshave legs?  Clear possibility.

Home.  Call city GOP headquarters.  No free signs.  $5.  Not battleground state.  Think need buy bulk signs on website.  Maybe distribute.  Maybe get reimbursed. 

Rest of day pale.  Oh!  Did talk to Liberal friend.  Liberal friend and Liberal friend DH not thinking BO help business.  Concerned about business tax.  Think area of DH company not safe from high tax.  Already overhead cuts in form no over-time.  Not good for family.  Tell Liberal friend about commitment with Sticker.   Nodding head.

Sigh.  Big Sticker Day.     

27 Days to Election

Woke up.  Slapped on Sticker.  School drop off.  Preschool drop-off.  Interesting.  Three moms deliberately not make eye contact.  Sticker-wearer notice overt avoidance of self.  Moms see Sticker-wearer and quickly look away and start talking to one another.  Worry.  Three moms' kids' in son's class.  Hope no damaging repercussions on sweet boy.  Consider for several hours if wearing Sticker making life harder for children.  Decide after consultation with wise women that no repercussions likely.  Not necessarily looking to be friends with the three.  Sticker-wearer believes friends vital to one's life.  Not all aquaintances friend material.  Not worth worry about aquaintances' perception of Sticker.

Home.  See neighbor lady while walking with baby.  Talk about schools.  Talk about local bond issue.  Say bond lots of money.  Sticker-wearer say that's why not voting for O.  Neighbor no comment.  Neighbor's stance clear as day, yes?  Move on and talk other non-political things.  Other neighbor lady saw Sticker last week.  Liked it.  Talked politics with her.  Fun!

Wear Sticker inside thrift store.  Not holding baby.  Baby in stroller.  Boy pushing baby in stroller.  Boy weaving around aisles almost drive Sticker-wearer bonkers.  Choose items.  No ugly looks or avoidance from other store patrons.  Wondered if seen as anomaly being McCain supporter in thrift store.  Surely not!  McCain supporters have great capacity for thrift.  Walking advertisement.   Is good and bad.  Crabby-faced woman in line behind Sticker-wearer.  Pay for items.  Smile.  Crabby lady cracks smile.  Boy push baby to van while walking with Sticker-wearer.  Takes job seriously.  Almost runs over Sticker-wearer's feet in desire to not get lost.  Sticker-wearer appreciates zeal.  Sticker-wearer also appreciates sneakers covering toes. 

Wonder if preschool moms simply not want political talk?  Maybe why some seem avoiding Sticker-wearer?  Downside of blogging and reading many sites is learning many things.  Feeling well-versed on issues.  Feeling as if learning how to talk politics without emoting or yelling.  When starting conversation with most people, sometimes feel as if must offer Cliffs Notes.  Is Sticker-wearer becoming policy wonk? 

28 Days to Election:

Spent whole day in house.  Not exactly true.  Drove DS1 to school.  Came home.  Nasty head cold.  Friend offers to pick up DS1 from school.  Aces.  Spend whole day feeding children.  Changing diapers.  Napping.  Surfing web when cannot nap. 

Then.  Debate.  John McCain did well.  Although, v. unhappy with McCain.  What McCain say about $300 B bailout for troubled homeowners???  Sticker-wearer not like this at all.  One of biggest problems with George W.  Bush - enlarge gov't more than ever been.  No Child Left Behind.  Dept. of Homeland Security.  Yes, children need good schools.  Yes, need safe country.  No, don't need bigger government.  McCain pushing socialist plan.  Must learn more about plan.  Still voting McCain/Palin.  Make no mistake, McCain not true conservative.

Was happy about part of debate.  O show self as whiny, smug, tell-em-what-they-want-to-hear politician.  Am concerned about country.  Concerned people looking for showmanship and not substance.  McCain has substance.  Palin has substance.  O has unsound connections and expensive plans, changes what says to suit audience.  Biden has v Liberal stance on everything, except gay marriage. 

Want Americans to want what Founding Fathers wanted: Safe place to grow a family and earn a living and worship in peace without the ever-present gov't taking and expecting and oppressing.  Believe deep in heart most Americans still want that.  Just swayed by entitlement programs, like Gollum and the Ring.  If Ring gone, would Americans be like Gollum and fling self into fiery lava river in pursuit of Ring?  Self-reliance and self-respect so far gone?

29 Days to the Election:

Woke up.  Didn't shower.  Noticed sad Sticker from yesterday stuck on edge of bathroom counter.  Must have been dazed from head cold when peeled off Sticker last night.  Squish sad Sticker on shirt.  Will exercise and then shower and then don new Sticker.  Am daring, though.  Sticker on right side of shirt.  Sticker cannot hide behind seat belt today.  Saucy Sticker.

Drive to school in rain.  Drop off child.  Drive home.  Attempt to kick kitchen into shape while wait for clock to tick time for preschool.  Time.  Gather children.  Sticker still on right side of shirt.  Sticker saucy but not able to switch sides without assistance.  Seriously.  Not political joke.  Notice am something of pariah at preschool.  Sticker on right side of shirt.  Baby prefers left hip.  Cannot use baby to hide Sticker today even if desired.

Home.  Exercise.  Now clean with new Sticker.  Morning flies by and time to collect preschooler.  Get there too early.  Must stand in hall with other mothers.  No one talks to Sticker-wearer.  No.  One.  The one mom who talks to Sticker-wearer running late today.  Huh.  Feeling somewhat dejected.  In full Obama country?  Is conservative religious denominational preschool.  Really O country?  Have offended delicate sensibilities?  Sticker too powerful for even question "why support John McCain/Sarah Palin"?  Not one word.  No one speaks.  Feels very much like high school when stray from claustrophobic unity of pack.  Pack cannot acknowledge existence unless kowtow back to pack?  Sticker-wearer not adept at social girl things.  But.  Smile.  Am friendly.  Hold doors for other moms.  Laugh with mom about cute mask child made in class.  How many more days like this?

See mom met at park in parking lot.  Parked next to each other.  Friendly.  Either notices Sticker and not worried or so post-partum barely see straight.  Sticker-wearer believes latter. 

Call friend who has opened shop.  Go in.  Friend sees Sticker!  Friend says "Bet you like her!"  Smile.  Yes.  You?  Yes.  Friend continues.  Been on the fence.  O such great speaker but did see O freak out when teleprompter went out and suddenly not able to talk?  Ah, Obama not good speaker without printed word to read, says Sticker-wearer.  Then friend utters afraid of O taxes as now small business owner.  Then, Sticker-wearer says historically when market has crashed and President/Congress boosts taxes and raises cap gains taxes, recession or depression.  Market crashed in 1929, taxes raised in 1932.  Great Depression.  Market crashed in 1987, taxes raised in 1990.  Recession.  O bad for economy.  John McCain better for the economy.  Friend absorbs.  Sticker-wearer continues thoughts about courts and judges.  Friend thinks.  Kids interrupt.  Conversation ends.

Pick up big kid.  Home for evening.  Sticker now on wall.  Big day for Sticker.  Only one of two Stickers that incited any discussion.  

Do wish very much that Sticker came in variety pack.  Feel like huge pg mama again.  Know day coming very soon not need maternity clothes.  But if have to wear same top again, will implode.  Will baby come out faster if implode?  No.  Election Day not come any sooner if Sticker-wearer wear same kind sticker until Election Day, thus imploding, either.  Must exercise personal responsibility muscles and use Stickers already own.

Head cold.  Odd thing happen with head cold.  Suddenly feeling as if sticker needs promoting to Sticker, with a capital "S".  Feel sad Sticker and Sticker-wearer had rough spot there.  Almost feels like when first married.  Thrilled with husband on honeymoon.  Love husband.  Excited about husband.  World looks different now that one has husband.  Then home from honeymoon and suddenly notice husband stinky sometimes.  Husband not all husband cracked up to be.  Maybe some false advertising.  Maybe not aware of kitchen cleaning technique when agree to marry.  Still, husband is husband and commitment made.  Make peace with having husband.  Peace good.  While have not married Sticker nor exchanged vows with Sticker before God, have made commitment to Sticker.  Have committed to wearing one Sticker a day before election.  Will keep commitment.

Feel better, though.  Have better grasp of how to counter Sticker-attackers, should nastiness occur.  That weighed heavily.  What to say when faced with nastiness?  How respond?  Sticker-wearer not so hot at confrontation.  Big weanie, actually.  Big dark, guilty secret is Sticker-wearer something of a yes-girl.  Will stand there and nod and say "okay" and then later think not agree.  Sticker requires commitment.  Sticker not shy about position.  Sticker very clear on where Sticker sticks.  Means Sticker-wearer must stand behind Sticker.  Sticker-wearer much tougher when can think and type and edit.  Like edit very much.  If attacked or questioned about Sticker will say want judges who interpret law and Constitution, not legislate from bench.  Will also say know that raising capital gains taxes historically push economy into recession or depression.  Hoover did it in 1932 and that pushed hurting economy into Great Depression.  Bush did it in 1990 and recession.  Not good for economy.

Tomorrow Sticker and Sticker-wearer go to preschool and school.  Maybe take walk.  Will try to post few lines before Sticker retires to paper on wall.  Maybe need to decide each Sticker deserves farewell post before retiring. 

Made commitment to Sticker and will do better at recording thoughts about Sticker's day.  Glad not actually married to Sticker.  Sticker probably not have proper kitchen cleaning technique. 

Week Two: 

Been a week since posting.  Very little changes in my days and yet every day differs.  The minutae of the days fades.  What stands is general thought-process.  Wear sticker to preschool everyday.  Wear sticker to pick-up line everyday.  Find self vacillating between elation with America and deep concern for Americans.  Think of teachers in other state wearing blue to support O.  Angry that school gets politicized.  Wonder if wearing sticker falls in same category. 

Not a single comment about sticker since man at Sam's Club.  Liberal friend has withdrawn some.  Not too worried, though.  Friend is friend through kids and not necessarily friend of heart.  Deeply concerned people don't think of Supreme Court nominees.  Worried people don't think of judges at Federal level.  Thrilled with Palin at debate.  Annoyed that independent friend sends SNL clip of Palin/Couric interview and says shows how bad it is, despite not having seen real thing.  Feel like constant teacher.  Did enjoy watching SNL (dvr it) and seeing "Clinton" on Weekend Update. 

Amazed that since declaring Conservative status in June that have learned immeasurable amount of truth from FOX and independent sites.  Had watched MSM and read whole paper whole life.  Learn that much in five months?!  Confession: voted for O in primaries.  True.  Did.  Then heard Michelle Obama.  Then heard Rev. Wright.  Not getting over toxic combo.  Then thought of O's stance on judges.  How can O not consider the Constitution and adherance to when choosing judges?  How can base decisions on "compassion".  Outrageous.

So.  Sticker-wearing bringing much joy as listen to talk radio in van as shuttling children hither and yon.  Many opportunities to talk to own children and happy to see a yearning for information.  Deeply troubled by what average people think.  Concerned that many voters only vote for last sign seen before walking into booth.  Have to remove self from tv periodically because so upsetting.  Know am lightening rod with sticker.  Did see a mom glance at sticker at preschool drop-off and then ask friend if watched debate.  Maybe causing talk elsewhere.  Good.  Still trying to be upstanding citizen and know forever more will be known as Republican.  Fine.  Know that could be labeled political junkie from now on.  Not sure care. 

Not sure sticker always wise.  Did wear at pediatrician appt.  Dr glanced at it and not comment.  Find reading blogs comforting.  It's political home.

Will continue to wear Sticker.  Odd how a circle with a dab of adhesive can cause such an adjustment in one's perceptions.

Sorry not so funny anymore. 

Slap on sticker.  Load kids in car.  To school.  To grocery store.  Funny.  No weird glances.  Some moms seem to skirt basket more than just in polite way.  Odd, though.  Feel taller.  Feel back straighter.  Feel as if daring contrary person to make snide remarks.  Check list.  Mark list.  Smile.  Laugh with DS2 and DD.  Pay.  Pleasant.  Leave.

Home to put groceries away and clean like crazy lady. 

Finally get house clean enough for guest.  Have removed stickered shirt for shower.  Somehow don't remember to put on new sticker.  Baby in crib.  Boys sleeping in same room as guest taking DS2's room.  Sit with boys for almost an hour, reading to boys to relax and have sleep.  DH and guest finally arrive at 10:00.  Am tired.  Ready to tuck self in.  Must stay up and be friendly.  Like guest v. much.  Friend of DH, now missionary.  Chit chat.  Tip-toe around politics.  Face off over discussing where getting information.  DH staying out of it.  Feeling need to not alienate DH friend.  Made email gaffe several months ago by sending McCain link to Liberal DH friend.  Clicked by mistake in contacts list.  Got friendly-ish slapdown.  Not willing to mess with DH friends.  Only makes life hard for DH.  Love DH.  Not worth messing with friends.  Guest and sticker-less mama gauging one another to determine where stand.  DH interjects with sports talk.  Danny Ainge.  Wife no longer part of conversation.  Good.  Easy out to go to bed.  Check on babies.  Go to bed.

Have spent many hours debating OB/GYN appt and sticker.  Still thinking about how sticker is becoming personal.  Need more time to articulate.  Realize that Dr. has minimal time to discuss lady problems.  Not interested in paying money to Dr. to talk about politics.  Need time to discuss misbehaving body.  No sticker until after appt.

Have appt.  Find workable solutions.  Drive home.  Place sleepy baby in crib.  Put on sticker!  Finally.  Starting to feel nekkid without sticker.  Will have withdrawal on Nov. 5?

Call friend-neighbor and ask if can sit in house while baby sleeps while go get child from preschool.  Friend-neighbor agrees.  Baby had ten minute nap in AM because finally fell asleep just before had to leave for appt.  Now baby asleep for 30 minutes.  Friend-neighbor buys time and baby can sleep longer.  Friend-neighbor comes over.  Knows loves Sarah Palin.  Good.  But problem.  Wonder if friend-neighbor votes.  Always some complication.  Maybe seeing sticker will inspire action.  Will be seeing sticker more times before voting day.  Patient.  Slowly work up to encouraging voting action.  Not enough to talk.

Drive to pick up oldest at school.  Picked up sleeping baby from crib.  Not a fan of waking sleeping baby.  Go through pick up line.  Interesting.  This time not even think about sticker.  See Liberal friend.  Big smiles.  Waves.  Not think once about sticker.  See teacher.  Hand teacher sorted class materials was asked to sort.  Ask for more work from teacher.  Teacher stunned.  Pull over while teacher gets more work to send home.  Not think once about sticker.  Have load of work to help teacher.  Drive home.  Realize through reading and posting on blog, more comfortable with talking about politics.  Have not had chance, yet.  Surely time will come. 

Going grocery shopping in morning in pink shirt.  Will see how goes with pink shirt and sticker at store.  Not feeling skittish.  Feeling somewhat emboldened. 

Also tomorrow night, having house guest from west coast.  Surely will see sticker page on wall in office nook of kitchen.  Surely will see sticker on shirt.  Childhood friend of DH.  Now missionary.  Suddenly mad that Obama wants to take more of personal money.  If less money, cannot support missionary friends as wish.  Why cannot Democrats see that not heartless, simply want personal money to spend where person feels necessary.  Missionary friends in Africa.  Other missionary friends in Africa, now back, waiting for next assignment. 

Have inkling of what taking sticker personally means: This is MY country.  This is YOUR country.  If I don't speak up for it and if you don't speak up for it, even with a sticker or sign in a yard, we leave our country to those who get heard.  Don't like what I see and want to be heard. 

Amen for that lady at the McCain/Palin rally who took the mic and spoke.