5 weeks, 2 days, and a wake up

Yup. 5 Weeks, 2 days until we board the plane for the home country. But, who's counting?

I have a list on my computer desktop of stuff/supplies to pick up when we're 'home.' And a crazy list it is: guitar strings, my fave deodorant brand, used golf balls, channel lock pliers, kids' history books, organic macaroni and cheese, bits of clothing. A very strange list.

I found the recipe for these cookies on a fellow blogger's site:
http://maona.net/archives/2005/12/candy_cane_cook.php
They were fabulous! I used vanilla instead of almond or peppermint (I can only get vanilla here). Yummy, yummy, yummy! We're going to make more dough next time and make red dough and green dough to try to make wreaths.

I read a story in the New York Times this morning:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/us/politics/16blackberry.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Essentially, it's about how Obama will have to give up his blackberry when he becomes president. I'm amazed. I'm not sure what world leaders do, but I don't see how anyone functions in this day and age without email. Yes, I can communicate by phone, fax or snail mail, but without my email, I would no longer 'fit in.' I travel with my laptop so I don't feel disconnected from the world. I've even discussed getting a blackberry or similar device with the husband. I feel that these handheld devices are going to become more important in the world, and I had better know how to use one! With all the things that America is capable of, I don't understand how/why the president can't use email like everyone else on the planet. Government leaders should be able to have a plethora of useful resources at their fingertips - they have tough jobs!

My husband probably would not function nearly as effectively without his blackberry. Yes, it means his 'office' can go anywhere with him. But, it also means that his 'office' can go anywhere with him. Even if he's in the middle of dinner, he can respond to a call or email immediately. No waiting to get to the laptop to check the info. He can do it anywhere. And when he travels to more remote places, the telephone way of talking just doesn't work. But, he can still receive data (email, SMS) to the blackberry.

Ok. 'Nuff rambling for today.

Peace.