History...

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It’s the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he’s fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation’s next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House. And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics – you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington – it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.

I know you didn’t do this just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime – two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor’s bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you – we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers – in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House – a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world – our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down – we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security – we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.

For that is the true genius of America – that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing – Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons – because she was a woman and because of the colour of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America – the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed:

Yes we can.

At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot.

Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose.

Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbour and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved.

Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.”

Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.

Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can.

Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

President-Elect Barack Obama
November 4, 2008

One month in...

It has been one month since our Fantasy Football League started and the standings are below:

The Sac
1 Team RamRod 3-1 L1
2 Vessel of Joy 3-1 W2
3 Team United 3-1 W3
4 Team Charlie 2-2 W1
5 Team WiskyDi... 1-3 L2
6 Team FTC 0-4 L4
Updated Tuesday, September 30

Just so everyone understands who is who: Diane is Team RamRod, I am Vessel Of Joy, Followed by Bobby, Megan, Jim, and Chris (who is O-4). The girls are putting up a good fight right now but it is a long season so I wont talk too much trash just yet. The best couple is still up for grabs but Bobby and Diane are holding on to the top spot followed closely by Jim and I and again the snyders are bringing up the rear, not because of lack of effort on megans part, but chris is really bringing her down :)

Thats about it from us for now, Jim is back in full swing with school and all the other activities that go with it. I am still working and trying to get our house organized and finishing up my summer projects with my mom. Hopefully by the end of next week we will have our new dressers finished and starting on our fall projects which include: painting the spare bedroom, master bedroom and hallway. As well as cleaning, organizing and finishing the downstairs bedroom and office. These are my goals for the fall and as they finish i will include pictures of what we did! I will try to update a little more often, we just have not been doing too much lately and therefore nothing to post about unless you wanted pictures of us drowning our sorrows after each cougar loss so far this year :) Happy Fall!

Football season is upon us...

I have already told you a little about my love of sports. I do love all sports but in the past I have always taken more of a liking to college sports rather than professional. I tend to think there is more of a pure love of the game when you are not getting paid millions of dollars to do what others would do for free. I think a majority of the time there is more hussle and all out ball playing by college athletes than pros (I know this can be debated and it all depends, this is just my opinion). However if there are pro games on I will watch them, I just prefer cougar football Saturdays to Monday (sunday) Night Football. That being said, last year I finally had the opportunity to play in a fantasy league with all of my guy friends and I absolutely loved it! It really got me so much more into the games and different teams (not just the seahawks), and i really figured out why guys are such freaks about it. I found myself switching between multiple games and updating my browser online throughout the games to see where I was and how many points I needed. I experienced the agony of defeat and the joy of winning right along with the players. I had the power to bench players who were crap, start someone from the bench who needed a chance, or call someone up who no one else thought would be able to perform but did when it was crunch time. I was watching ESPN for fantasy alerts and catching tips from different friends in different leagues. It was like there was a whole new world out there I was experiencing for the first time. And as it turns out I had a little knack for managing...I ended up winnng my league, much to the chagrin of all the guys I was playing with. Clearly thier first instinct was to assume that Jim helped me or made all my moves for me, but he did not I did it all alone every day at work. I think my rookie luck was that I did not overanalyze everything and just kinda played around. I still dont even know what a lot of the numbers mean on the stat sheet!

When this year rolled around my plan was to be completely ready to defend my title, I was going to research and analyze and create my own top 50 draft players; I was going to suprise all the guys with my knowledge. Yeah you guessed it...that did not happen. I was caught off guard by our draft so i had no time to prepare. I just went with nothing and am hoping luck is on my side again. Besides the boys league, this year I am also a part of the couples league. It consists of: Myself, Jim, Megan, Chris, Bobby and Diane. Since there are only 6 of us all of our teams are pretty stacked however we have more on the line than just money. There are bragging rights for best couple involved! The individual who wins gets $100 and 2nd place gets $20. The couple who overall does the best does not have to host or cook for our 2nd annual Christmas party, 2nd best couple has to help with the cooking and the Losers have to host and pretty much plan the entire event...The catch is, no husband can help thier wife, or vice versa in Jim's case :) Totally kidding (relax Jim).

It should be an interesting season...and I will try to update you on how we all are doing throughout the year. May the best (wo)man win, and the trash talking begin!!! Below are my two teams if anyone is interested.


Team Name: Vessel of Joy (Couples league)
Drew Brees, NO QB
LaDainian Tomlinson, SD RB
Clinton Portis, Was RB
Willie Parker, Pit RB
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cin WR P
Marques Colston, NO WR
Chris Cooley, Was TE
Packers D/ST, GB D/ST
Shayne Graham, Cin K
Matt Hasselbeck, Sea QB P
Laurence Maroney, NE RB
Roddy White, Atl WR
Alge Crumpler, Ten TE
Anthony Gonzalez, Ind WR
Rian Lindell, Buf K


Team Name: Phelps Phanatic (Guys League)
Tony Romo, Dal QB
Steven Jackson, StL RB
LenDale White, Ten RB
Braylon Edwards, Cle WR P
Santana Moss, Was WR
Jason Witten, Dal TE
Patriots D/ST, NE D/ST
Jason Hanson, Det K
Julius Jones, Sea RB
Jason Campbell, Was QB
Roddy White, Atl WR
Alge Crumpler, Ten TE
Anthony Gonzalez, Ind WR
Warrick Dunn, TB RB
Shaun Suisham, Was K

Tis the Season...

Update 9/2/08: I promise to get some pics up of the weddings some time this week...keep checking back!

For Jim and I this year has been one FILLED with weddings. So Far we have already attended 4, one of which Jim was the best man in, and now in the next 3 weeks we have 4 more! I am off today to Tahoe to attend one of my oldest and best friends, Chad Koch's wedding. I am really looking forward to it, as it will be a small gathering of all of our closest friends. I have never been to Tahoe so its a great excuse to go. Jim will be staying in Spokane and attending one of his buddies weddings in CDA. I wish i could make it back to go to Derrick's but I really didn't want to miss Chad's so this was the best way...one representative of the McCollum household at each wedding.

I get back from Tahoe on Sunday afternoon and then turn around the following Friday and head to Boise for another one of my oldest and best friends, Chad Downs's wedding. Jim will not be attending this wedding either as he will be in Seattle watching the Coug's kickoff what we hope to be a suprising season (keep your fingers crossed anyway). This will be the first wedding our entire old school crew will get to be together in FOREVER, so it will be especially nice to see everyone. Kristen is even flying in from NYC for the weekend. We did not get a chance to hang out much while she was home for the summer so some quality bonding will be taking place on this trip :)

Once i get back to Spokane I will have Labor Day off to relax from my travels and then that Saturday we have another wedding! This one is at least in Spokane and we can both attend. After that i think the majority of all our weddings will be over...until my sister gets married in November (apple cup weekend-do people not check thier cougar schedules before making such huge life decisions? I know i do!). Even though it will be a busy couple weeks, i absolutely love weddings and I am very excited to be able to go to all of these events and share in each couples day. They each have picked partners who are a great match and really complete them, and I know they all will live "happily ever after!"


Hope you all have fun-filled, sun-filled weekends.

***As many of you who know me know I am terrible when it comes to taking pictures. I usually have my camera I just am not the best at remembering. Most pictures on here are actually stolen from other friends facebooks or myspaces. That being said I will try my hardest to take some pics of my travels and of the weddings to share with you all :)

A tradition is started...

Over the weekend we got to spend some quality time with our good friends, the Labelle's and the Snyder's, camping up at Priest Lake. We picked the best weekend for it as it was extremely hot all weekend long. Our original plan was to camp up at Lion Head camp ground, but when Megs, Chris and Jim got there Thursday morning it was already full. Apparently lots and lots of people had the same plan. They headed back around the lake and found a spot at the first campground they stopped at, in Reeder Bay. It worked out great being so close to Elkins…we could walk over for breakfast, things we forgot, the cleaner bathrooms (Megan!!!), or a little nightcap :)

Even though Elkins was so close we did do a lot of our own cooking. One morning we had bacon, eggs, and pancakes (thanks chris and jim) and another night we had Steak and corn, it was so good i am still thinking about it! Some pretty impressive camping meals if I do say so myself…not that I did any of the hard stuff. Diane and I cooked the hamburgers and hot dogs on the last night :)

Bobby's Grandpa even let us take the boat out for the day on Saturday. Bobby, Chris, Megan, and Diane all wake boarded while Jim brought us back to 1992 and did some knee boarding.

We spent the majority or our time on the beach playing in the water, reading, consuming beverages, relaxing and soaking up the sun.



Bobby had some trouble finding a chair to hold him...He's such a Tuesday:)



At night we played games and told stories around the campfire and even had a near death experience with a cell phone battery and the fire (oops). Thankfully no one was hurt and it is something we can look back at and laugh about in the years to come; as was the entire trip. Looks like we have another tradition to add to our growing list of things to do together!

Once every 4 years...

The summer Olympics begin today and I am counting down the hours till the opening ceremonies! It is no secret that i love all sports and grew up in a sports enthused family. Our family vactions were not so much vacations as they were driving to my siblings soccer tournaments when i was young. Even when we were not playing in actual games my siblings and I were "hosting" our own Olympics in the backyard. We had opening and closing ceremonies (equipped with fireworks if you can believe it) and we each picked a country we would represent. I was always Frace because at the time my "boyfriend's" last name was Franz. I think this is really where my love of Olympics, and all sports in general, started. It was usally just Terry, Sheila and I who would play, as I think Sean was old enough to realize how big of nerds we were; but we played every sport. All the events took place in our front or back yard and street and I'm fairly sure our neighbors thought we were nuts. Below is a description of some of the games we would play.

Baseball: with only 3 people it was a little difficult to field a team but ghost runners helped complete the games

Basketball: one on one with the person sitting out acting as ref

Tennis: Thanks to the cracks in our street we had what was a pretty good court, except if you got it past the opposing player then you had to run down the street after the ball.

Volleyball: a cleaned out garage, a ballet bar, a taped floor and a big rubber kids ball work wonders.

Track: your basic races in the front yard worked well for this event. And i vaguley remember the high jump consisting of the same ballet bar described above and some old mattresses placed underneath it

Our all time favorite was SOCCER: We used the rubber ball from volleyball (my parents would have been wise to take out stock in these since we went thru so many of them) and had two pillars on our house which we used as goal posts. Occasionally, we would have inclement weather, (thanks to a strategically places sprinkler) that we would have to play thru because that is what real soccer players do. No matter what the game would always end in penalty kicks and so we would line up by the curb and do our best to get it past the goalie.

Once all the games were over we would tally up which country was the all around winner and then hold, you guessed it, the medal ceremony. Now I am not sure if we had actual music for each countrys anthem but i do know we had medals. We would take our brother's old soccer medals that you got for competing in different tournaments and use them as our Gold medals. I dont think second or third ever actually got anything besides made fun of for not winning the whole thing(Gee i wonder if this is where my competitive drive comes from?:))

It is clear writing this that my brother, sister, and I had entirely too much time on our hands, but looking back now they really are some of my favorite memories. It was the most awesome thing to be able to hang with my older siblings and not actually have to force them to play with me. We still all laugh about these crazy things we did when we were kids. But it is no doubt where I got my love for all things Olympics. As I have gotten older, clearly i have learned to love the olympics for other reasons but thats a whole other post. So while you all will be going on with your daily lives you can bet that for the next 16 days I will be at home engrossed in the Olympics and my childhood dreams of standing on that podium, with the national anthem playing in the background and the real gold medal being hung around my neck...and secretely rooting for France! :)

The most important things...

My siblings
My oldest and best friends
My Favorite GirlsA few of the amazing people I have had the chance to get to meet because of my husband, Jim



Bobby and Diane: Just met them this year and have already had some great times!

Jim's best friend John and his wife Sara...we both love you guys so much!
Megs and Chris...I dont know what Jim and I would do without you guys around this year :)
My Family


There have been a few things going on in my life this week...things that i never thought i would have to worry about or at least not for a long time. Its so cliche but you never know when life will be taken from you and it shouldnt take a scare or something even more tragic to remind you to tell the ones you love how you feel about them. You should tell them every day through words or through your actions. Thankfully my reminder did not cost anyone I love thier life but it was a good wake up call. So to all my friends and my family, please know that I love you and depend on you and dont know what i would do without you.