Spent the entire day dealing with a cantankerous old coot who has an attitude of my way or the highway. It is a scene I hate and one I had hoped to leave behind in the world of politics. They get into deals with a host of people then proceed to try to control the entire group. A chapter in my life book is dedicated to control freaks … something I seem to attract in abundance. I don’t get it. Only good news I have seen time and time again they tend to get theirs in the end. Hallelujah.

The most pleasant part of my day was spent going to Lincoln and Sierra’s class to read my favorite book .. The Little Engine that Could. My children know the gig, why I love the book, the message which is inherent .. if your mind can believe it it can achieve it. And I’m living proof of that … then I had lunch with the first graders. Just love that.

Since returning from New York have attempted to tackle the mound of papers on my desk. Making some progress there. For a recession, sure are a lot of new deals floating around, lots of talk, lots of discussions. Always interesting to see where it shakes out. Really wanted to play on Friday so headed to the Bellagio .. in retrospect heading back into anyplace which has an iota of cigarette smoke may not have been very well thought out. Spent the night time coughing .. this too shall pass.

Get to go read “my favorite book” to Sierra’s class on Monday. My favorite book, besides the Bible, is The Little Engine that Could. That is what the first graders will hear ..

Been in New York since Saturday and its been great. Had some meetings on Sunday to get ready for Mondays events. Monday went smoothly and I got a nice tour of the new Seneca Niagra Casino. Beautiful place. Wish the WPT would hold their event there vs the Canadian side. Last time I tried to cross the Canadian border – to play at Fallsview – I decided I didn’t need to go thru that hassle again.

Headed home and glad to get there. Been around a lot of cig smoke so, of course, I’ve lost my voice.

Haven’t written in a while but have just been doing business things. I love to travel and do it easily, but I so love to be home and, especially, to take the gators to school. I travel tomorrow for business for Don and be back on Tuesday. Tonight, going over the week, Sierra says “Mom … I was SO sad to leave kindergarten” (they’re now in first) and Lincoln says “Yeah, but at least we graduated.” Hope this isn’t a trend. Ha.

Took the gators to Sunday School. When they got out I say (as I do every day they are learning somewhere) “what did you learn today?” Lincoln says “well first off I don’t know why they call it Sunday School?” then he says “and second we learned God made every single thing on this whole earth except plastic spoons and Lego persons.” I laugh, hard, out loud and he says “I don’t know why you’re laughing Mom cause he did it all in six days.” More laughter from me. We have fun …

Sierra was in math and Lincoln and I were headed to pick her up. I say “Lincoln you’re now 7 and a half years old, do you think you could go in the grocery story and get some orange juice and some eggs by yourself?” He thinks and says “no, I don’t think that will work.” Why I ask. “Because I will look lost and they have cameras and then the police will come to ask me questions.” I diffuse all this. A moment later he says .. “I still don’t think it will work Mom.” Why I say again. He says “because I probably wouldn’t be able to find my way back to the car .. but if you were to put marks on the tires I could find it then.” I laugh and say “Why don’t you just drop bread crumbs like Hansel and Gretel?” He says “Handsome and who? ….” Peals of laughter on my side and I tell him I’m sorry he’s missed such a great story. We will read it over the weekend.