Election Day

Okay, we have voted and now we watch the drama unfold. I am curious, dubious, hopeful, and doubtful. There really isn't anything to do, but wait and watch.

On the personal side, it has been quite some time since I have taken the time to update my blog (as Melissa recently pointed out). Things, as usual, have been quite busy. I am traveling a great deal and Jean-Jacques has started to hit his truly busy season. He also lost a sales person, so he has been busy trying to cover the territory, as well as maintaining his other responsabilities. I am having a difficult time remembering to stay out of his way. I also have way too high of an opinion on my ability to do everything, and assume that I could solve all of his problems, if only he would hire me, and give me the chance.

My husband is far wiser than I. He prefers to wait and for us to each maintain our individual careers, in seperate venues. This is probably better for our marriage, but comes with it's own set of compromises. It means that we each have our own daily priorities. It means that my travel, which is done for the most part, on the customer's whim, cannot be controlled and pared down when my husband is extremely busy and he, and more importantly, the children, need my presence and support. Thank goodness that my mother is ready and willing to pick up the slack.

Helene is signed up for Gymnastics and is LOVING it. She has an amazing amount of strength. She can do a headstand and then push up on her arms until she is in a handstand. I am in awe. She is also singing in the choir, and has asked to sign up for the Rochester Community choir. I have the papers somewhere, but have not yet filled them out. I hope that I am not too late.

Charlotte is busy with piano. She has a recital in early December, so she has been practicing diligently. We are still having issues with school and quality of work. I get pretty frustrated because I know, in my heart, that Charlotte is not dishonest or dumb. I, in my few lucid moments, understand that she is a teen that is dealing with a lot of changes in her life, but we cannot accept a lackluster performance at school, and we cannot excuse her not doing her best, top quality work. The most frustrating for me is the lack of communication. For every question her answer is the same, the famous, "I don't know". And when I can tell that there are issues and I ask her to share, her answer to me is that there is nothing wrong, everything is fine, and she doesn't know what I am talking about. I would really like to be able to have some exchange with her, but she has no desire to talk and spend time with me.

Luke is still playing soccer. He is getting much better and is staying more focused on the game. His skills are improving and he really has fun. He has yet to score a goal, but I don't think that he cares. I am glad that his last game of the season is this Saturday, because it is getting mighty dark at practice and mighty cold as well.

Ok, I need to get back to work. I am leaving for Montreal tomorrow and will be back on Friday. I will be gone next week from Tuesday through Thursday, and then back in town, hopefully until Thanksgiving week. There is a pending trip to France, but now it looks like it might actually be postponed until early next year (this is amazing to me because it has been pending since October 11th!).

Guadeloupe is less than two months away! I can't wait.