carnival and carol

Tonight I (tourist) went to a delightful Halloween Carnival with Dad, sister Megan, nephews, cousins, witch Aunt April and Pharaoh Uncle Monty...AND watched Carol Burnett with Dad and Grandma Faye...I'm SO glad we had this time together!

my favorite October...

October continues to be a bright, beautiful, memorable, cherished time...today Terry, Diana, Ryan, Megan, Torsten, Brysen and I went to Stahli farm in Washington fields...absolute fun for any family...Tonight I went to Grandma Faye's and watched Betty White (one of my all-time favorite actresses from The Golden Girls) in a Hallmark movie...we then had dinner at Iceburg...what a wonderful world!

today i vote...

SO...tonight I am going to vote on the absentee ballot I just received from New York State. The candidates for President of the United States include Barack Obama/Joe Biden or John McCain/Sarah Palin. Prior to 2000, I was a dyed in the wool republican who would never consider voting for a democrat (or, as my nephew recently put it, a "democrap.") In 2000, I wholeheartedly supported then Governor George W. Bush in his presidential run. I believed him when he said he would be a compassionate conservative and "restore dignity to the White House." He has let me down time after time after time...Today I am a proud Independent (although Rush Limbaugh considers me a "spineless" American). I am cynical of both political parties and will never join or fully support either of them. People have different qualities they look for in a candidate and I want a president who will put care for the poor and the needy as a top priority. As I was leaving the gym the other day, a little kid saw my backpack and said, "Look Daddy, he's got Obama on his backpack!" His father smiled and said, "It's nice to know there's someone else in this town who supports him as well." I've notice that there are actually many good Americans in St. George who happen to support Obama...I've seen at least 10 bumper stickers for Obama...a sight that pleasantly suprises me. People do care about the less fortunate, and I believe this is a primary reason many folks are supporting an Obama/Biden presidency. Tonight I'm voting for the candidate who seems to be the MOST compassionate...for the one who seems to believe in the counsel to take care of the "least among you." Call me a simpleton but that's pretty much my only concern this election. Since neither Barbra Streisand or Kermit are running, I suppose my choice must be "that one."

The Wonderful World Of Yard Sales!

Every Saturday, it has become tradition, 5 - 10 Hawks/
Polad family members descend upon various yard/garage sales in Washington County, Utah...I am not sure how it started, but I know that Uncle Monty was certainly one of the pioneers. He continues to be the fearless leader. He meets Danny and Monica and Co. at 6:30 a.m. and the fun begins...my family, not as hardcore, usually heads out between 8 and 9 a.m. Today my treasure finds included a Lightning McQueen lunchbox, 3 Disney reading books, and a video...all for $1.25! If you like to shop, and love finding bargains at unbeatable prices, and do not mind sifting through "unique" items to find them, I highly recommend this delightful Saturday morning adventure!

Brice the Babysitter!

Tonight was awesome...I had the occasion to babysit Torsten and Brysen...we had a ball...literally. Torsten wanted to play baseball and since I am known around the world as a renowned player, I obliged! Brysen and I blew bubbles, and...the best part...WE WATCHED EPISODE ONE OF THE MUPPET SHOW! Torsten loved it! He kept saying, "That frog is funny! Miss Piggy is silly!" He kept asking me to rewind each segment to watch it over again. If you haven't seen these shows, you OWE it to your family to run out right now and get them! It's a wonderful blessing to have these two adorable, awesome, and FUNNY kids in my life!

Marathon of a weeked!

WOW...this was certainly a fast-paced weekend! Friday morning at 1 a.m. I picked up Aleena from the McDonald's parking lot where the Greyhound bus terminal is located...later I worked in Ancestor Square and Aleena and Dad popped by for lunch (thanks for the great tip!). Friday night we saw the awesome musical "Big River" at Tuachan. This was one of the best musical productions I've ever seen! This was also the very first musical that Torsten has seen and HE LOVED IT! He couldn't stop talking about it, even until the next morning. Do we have another Hawks dramatic actor in the mix? Heaven help us! Saturday we watched as Gail, second cousin to myself and first cousin to Dad, ran the St. George marathon. This was her 5th marathon this year! Then we went to a BBQ, saw Grandma Faye, ate free samples and shopped at Costco, and had lots of fun with Ryan, Megan, and the nephews at Jumpin' Jacks...a place filled with giant jump type rides...Saturday night we watched one of my favorite movies ever, "Muriel's Wedding." This morning Diana made a wonderful breakfast that we enjoyed before we had to take Aleena back to McDonald's for her seven hour bus ride home. Whew! Although it was fast and way too short, EVERYONE enjoyed having Aleena around. I can't wait to have her visit again!

October is THE BEST!

I REALLY do LOVE October...especially October 2008...I cannot express how grateful I am to be here with my Dad and with MY Diana in St. George, Utah...being able to spend time with my Grandma Faye every day is beyond awesome! Ryan and Megan's family is SO adorable I can hardly stand it...my favorite memory is tending Torsten and Brysen and, at bedtime, Torsten showing me (at least 100 times) how he can do backflips and frontflips onto his bed while Brysen cheers from the crib! While I dearly miss my godson and family and friends in New York City, I know that I am in the right place at the right time! I am currently waiting to go pick up my sister Aleena from the greyhound bus (should be here anytime between midnight and 3 A.M.) She is coming down for LDS General Conference weekend and we are all excited to see her. She is such a radiant light in our family and EVERYONE is happy when she is around to visit. OCTOBER ROCKS!!!

Merry October!

My very favorite month of the entire year is October...

the weather is wonderful, it's Halloween, some of my dearest friends and family are born this month, it's Halloween, the leaves on the trees are turning wonderful colors before they die and fall to the ground, it's almost the Christmas season (starting November 1st thru January 31st)...it's just a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful time of year! October is here and the end of summer has really come...the final parade in St. George was this past weekend, "Swiss Days", in Santa Clara...this was a delightful parade filled with Star Wars characters, cows on trains, missionaries, REALLY loud bands, and lots of candy for Torsten and Brysen...Grandpa Terry even "borrowed" a HULK balloon for Brysen...I wish EVERYONE a Very Merry October!