I spent about two hours by myself on Sunday, running errands.  I haven't been by myself in over two months.  It was amazing how much easier it was to get stuff done.  I just got into and out of the car.  No unbuckling car seats or strapping a baby to me while another car tries to pull in alongside me.  No squirming bottoms trying to get out of the grocery cart or eat the butter while we're in line.  No giant car seat full of infant to lug through the parking lot!  It was good.  I'd like to say, "But also kind of sad," but I just can't.  The girls were with their Oma, Maddie asleep, Sonja full of milk, and they were fine.  I wasn't sad, I was free.  

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Rod Blagojevich!  What the hell is wrong with you?  Getting him elected is one of my first SEIU memories.  Jackass.  We were so happy!  And I have the pen he used to sign a bill into law making it legal for healthcare workers in state hospitals to organize by signing cards.  What the hell is that called?  Jesus, I forgot what that's called, I can't believe it.  Anyway, I organized the first wall-to-wall hospital in the state of Illinois and the first RN union for SEIU under that law and got the damn pen.  I organized that place so fast, they didn't even have any paperwork for me to file with.  Those were the days.  Now this turkey turns out to be just as corrupt as his Republican predecessor!  George at least made it out of office before getting arrested!  Stupid governors.  They are not having a red-letter year.

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We're lighting a tree before dinner tonight.  At least, I hope it will light.  We have to sing loudly enough and sincerely enough to inspire the tree to light up.  

CARD CHECK!  It is called CARD CHECK!  Goddamn it, I remembered, I'm not losing my mind after all.  It is called card check when the majority of the workers sign cards to form their union.