Yes, I did take a phone snapshot of Obama on Election Night. I texted madly away with Stacey as the realization sunk in - Yes, We Did! - and that I was the only one awake to see it live!

The excitement and the pride were overwhelming, and I couldn't stop myself from tearing up. I was blown away by the class and graciousness of Senator McCain's concession speech, and as one person put it, "He became the John McCain I'd have a beer with again." I have always has the uptmost respect for Senator McCain, and had this been a different time and against a different candidate, he would absolutely have received my vote.

As with many families, this race, and its outcome, have divided my family - those of you who know me know what I'm talking about, and I'll leave it pretty much at that. I love my family, and I hope that the next four years will not be fraught with tension and that we can all play nicely. We'll see how that turns out. It's been a major reason why I normally refuse to discuss politics and why I probably won't discuss them too much going forward. I respect everyone's right to their own opinion, but it does seem that those of us with differing opinions are either expected to keep them to themselves or be ready to defend them at any given time. If I'm proud of the candidate that I voted for, just let me be - I don't ask that you defend your choices, do I?

One last thing - I'd like to express my deep disappointment regarding Prop 8. How we could make such history as a nation one day with President-Elect Obama's win and the next, make history in a completely different direction, is just sad. Love is love, and that really should be that. As far as we've come, we apparently have a long, long way to go.

Anyway. Moving on. My excitement of the day was somewhat dampened the next day when I was laid off. I debated not even mentioning it here, but it's not something to be ashamed of. My company was bought by a bigger one, and apparently I was made 'redundant'. I'm hanging in and trying to find something else. It's a scary time to be unemployed but by no means am I in a minority. I'll hang in there.

I've been getting quite a bit of knitting done, working through Christmas project after Christmas project. I've just gotten one of a pair of socks off the needles for Hubs' great-aunt, and now I'm debating on - shudder - seaming up a sweater for Hubs' cousin's baby-to-be. I don't have to set in sleeves, but I am still world famous for my loathing of seaming. Sigh.

Off to job search and bang out a reader report.

I'm not a woman known for my patience. To quote a friend of mine, "people in the hills sing songs about your tolerance". I've walked off a line during a huge sale at one of my favorite clothing stores, because I just don't have the patience to wait.

I'm also not a woman known for my enjoyment of rising early. Hubs wakes me up by placing a cup of coffee at my bedside, and backs away slowly. Bless him.

This morning, I was out of my home at 7 a.m. and on the way to vote for Barack Obama. I was prepared for a siege-like wait, armed with a fully loaded iPod, a book, and some holiday knitting. I was ready for the wait, because I was going to be damned if I didn't let my voice be heard today.

In the last election, I voted not so much for John Kerry as for Not-Bush. I was pissed off when we got four more years of Dubya, but I can honestly say I didn't have as much emotional investment in that election. This time around, my heart and my mind are completely wrapped up in this election and this candidate. When he speaks, I believe he will help us find our way back. I have hope, which has been in very short supply these last several months.

My boys are apparently bigger Obama fans than I am - something I've noticed lately; kids LOVE Obama. He's got this great vibe that they totally pick up on. Cutie Pie has informed Hubs, loudly, that if he were to vote McCain, he could still live with us, but he would be angry at Hubs. I think Cutie Pie may be on the shortlist for Obama's Secret Service detail should the election shake out that way.

Regardless of who you vote for, PLEASE VOTE. Make your voice heard.

I've got more to write, but I'll pause here for now. Please - vote.