I am working from home today because round 2 of the flu or whatever has hit the household again. However, I don't think it is as severe this time. Over the weekend, either the stomach bug got me or it was something I ate at a new restaurant we tried. Regardless, I'll associate it with the restaurant so I doubt we'll be going back there anytime soon.

While I was in the southeastern part of the state telling teachers about some wonderful programs we offer, I got a phone call from my husband. Son #2 was running a fever of 102. Not much I can do when I'm more than three hours away. But today he seems to be doing better, especially after I dosed him with some motrin. I dropped the baby off at my MIL's and turned on the TV for Jack, so I should be able to get some work done.

Then tonight I'm turning all the kids over to D and heading out to bunko. I've been having a hard time concentrating because of the migraine meds, so hopefully I can still enjoy myself. I really need a good night.

OK. Now back to work.

I will give my husband his due. He got up at 6 a.m. and drove to the nearest Krispy Kreme which is at least 25 minutes away to buy heart-shaped donuts for the kids for breakfast. But to top it off -- he sent me a dozen gourmet dipped strawberries and eight gourmet dipped cookies. No need to waste flowers on me. He knows what I like. I have offered to share with my co-workers, but unfortunately, no one has taken me up on the offer...

I wish I was better at all of this for him. I did buy him the Sleepless in Seattle DVD several days ago when I saw it on display. He loves the soundtrack so I thought he'd like to have the movie. Maybe we'll watch it when we are childless this weekend. And I am encouraging him to go on a guys-only ski trip next month, so that should count for something.

Interesting political column/blog. I'm just glad to see Matthew Dowd voicing his opinions again nationally after catching such flack when he left the Bush administration.

I have taken a break from the real presidential election to re-live The West Wing election of Season 7. I hadn't realized how many of the episodes I had missed, but by that time, they had moved the show to an inconvenient 8 p.m. time slot on Sundays. It was usually pretty difficult to monitor bath time and keep up with the quick dialogue. So I usually sacrificed the show for motherhood.

The wonderful benefit of watching television shows on dvd is no commercials and the freedom to watch episodes back-to-back. The problem is the freedom to watch episodes back-to-back. I lack the self-discipline to stop and go to bed at a reasonable hour. So I watched the first four episodes and went to bed at 1 a.m. Tonight I watched three episodes and stopped because I needed to finish loading the dishwasher. I guess I have a little self discipline.

At least I know how this election will turn out. I'm not really sure about the present-day situation. Only time will tell.

This weekend I finally watched the one Blockbuster movie I had -- 1408 -- a paranormal thriller starring John Cusack. He has always been a favorite of mine, and I thought he handled the cynical author role well. I'm not one who gets creeped out easily, but since I was alone in the house with the baby, I did feel a little uneasy at first. But then D and the other kids came home, and he finished watching it with me. It was an interesting flick, but I would've liked to have learned more about why the room was so evil.

We also watched Game Plan (cute) and Shredderman Rules (another cute one with a kid from a Nickelodeon show). Since some of us (mainly me) were still unwell, we just hung around the house most of the weekend watching movies. Jeremy and I also caught a classic on TV -- Big starring Tom Hanks. Since we missed the first part, I've decided to put it in my Blockbuster queue so the whole family can enjoy one of his early hits.

I know my movie reviews are not riveting journalism but honestly my head is still pretty fuzzy so it's hard enough stringing words together. So I should probably quit while I hope I've written somewhat coherent sentences.

I don't like to discuss politics too much. I don't usually feel incredibly strong on too many issues, and I can usually listen to both sides and be persuaded by both. Maybe that makes me wishy-washy. I don't know.

What I do know is that I don't care for our governor. Those who say he's a good governor probably believe he's a great leader because 1) he hasn't stuck his foot in his mouth like our former gov, 2) they have won something in the lottery, 3) they haven't had to be stuck in a room and listened to him speak, or 3) they are teachers who have received a pay raise.

I speak on this issue now because recently the republican leadership criticized Brad's budget and now his office is criticizing them for publicly criticizing it. Hope that makes sense. Here's my problem with that. It's OK for the governor to look all wonderful by proposing this beautiful budget where teachers get more money and miraculously more things are done with money from somewhere, but now it's up to the legislators to figure out how to pay for his amazing plan. And now they will look like the bad guys and girls when a lot of these things aren't able to happen. So what's wrong with the leadership speaking out now so the public knows that while the governor has proposed some good ideas, like extending the school year, there is no solution for how to fund such a proposal? I have no problem with people pointing out the flaws in the governors plans. Someone needs to.

Everyone is caught up in the presidential election politicals, but I haven't forgotten about crazy local leadership we have.

Our house has been a hotbed for germs the past week. Anna has finally got the hang of throwing away used tissues. I won't worry about Jeremy getting the concept now since he is past ths snot-blowing stage. Poor Spencer is so congested he coughs and gags all the time. I think we've finally found relief for him in the form of breathing treatments and a raised matress. As for Jackson, I'm not sure there is any hope. There is not anything as obviously wrong with him. He coughs a little, sometimes runs a slight fever, but for the most part, he is just a bear to live with, which makes my life miserable.

I would love to be able to just sit and hold him, but unfortunately for him and me 1) I don't have time and 2) Spencer needs me too. When those two are both awake, there are moments when they are both miserable and crying which in turn makes me want to cry.

However, at this moment the house is quiet. No coughing. No crying. No sneezing. And yet, I'm sitting at the computer. That's because I had to take a few moments to answer work email. But now it's time to shut down so I can get some sleep to deal with more work and sick children tomorrow.

Sick children, healthy children, happy children, whiny children...they're mine and I love them.