Hodge-Podge

Ahhhh, two posts in one week. And neither of them are plagiarizing the president. What's wrong with me? Am I *gasp* motivated? Let's not get crazy.

Ok, so to get back in the swing of things, here's a hodge-podge of things that I've thought about lately.

Politics:
1. I wish people would just close their trap. People get mean when they talk about politics. Specifically, I get really really mad when people say that the president was not born in this country. I think it is a thinly-veiled way of being racist.
2. I think the president's doing exactly what he said he would do - and yet people WHO VOTED FOR HIM are complaining. I don't get this - you voted for him because you wanted change. I am talking specifically about health care. I really don't follow much else.
3. This almost-shutdown really annoyed me. Don't worry - my blame falls equally on the Democratic White House and the Republican Congress.

And now I am going to follow #1 and stop talking about politics.

Parenthood:
1. I love my kid so freaking much. Honestly, I had no idea it was going to be like this. I'm amazed every day at what she's learning and understanding. Ten months is a great age. Sometimes I feel like I was a half-assed mother during the first few (ummm, six) months - I was so tired, so depressed, so unsure - and I don't feel like she got my best effort. I really try now to be the mother that she needs.
2. When I expressed my distress over her first few weeks, my darling friend VAsquared said that I gave her exactly what she needed (food, snuggles). That makes me feel good. The baby didn't know that I was a mess.
3. I am no longer depressed and I have more confidence in my mothering skills (or at least, I know I can fake it) but I'm still tired. This is ok.
4. I have realized that most parents are just faking it. And if they say that they know what they're doing, they are either lying or their kids are adults.

Sort of back to politics for a second - yes, I don't follow my own advice. It's my blog - I can do what I want to do! My dad went to a union rally/protest the other day. I was really proud of him. First of all, I love that my 70-year-old father is more liberal than I am. Second of all, I love that he has held true to his beliefs through his entire adult life. Third, I'm proud that he doesn't just complain about things but he actually goes out and shows his support in rallies. Oh and here's a fourth - if you aren't related to him, he won't discuss politics with you. He really tries to be diplomatic and stress-free when talking to people.