Did I put colors with the whites in the laundry again? Shoplift the local convenience store? No, I appealed the (City's) Department of Design, Construction and Land Use's decision to approve expansion of the Northgate Mall. The question, "What made you do it?," did not come from friends and family, but from fellow activists in the community. They must think I'm foolish or inept, I mused. What did make me "do it?"

Never one for the passionate rhetoric that usually spews from the activist, I've always been a "Just the facts, ma'am" kinda gal. Stop whining and use your words (a mantra I chant daily to my six-year-old and three-year-old). Why DO grownups stop trying just because they feel they can't win, I wondered. I would never allow my six-year-old to say, "I won't play against that team because they always win." "Just do your best," I would say. He nods wisely, remembering this is one of the four rules posted on his kindergarten blackboard as well.

Many felt they had no chance against a Department of Design, Construction and Land Use decision. How could anyone win against powerful (Northgate Mall owner) Simon Properties! Had the community done lots of whining? Oh yeah! Had we done our very best? I didn't think so. We could still use our words through appeal with the Hearing Examiner. Would I lose? Possibly, OK, probably - but I knew I did my very best.

-SUE GEVING,

Haller Lake