Table Talk

Is there a rule stating that ones dining room table look like this if you are in charge of a big charity event?  Because I have been busy planning one for over a year now and this tables been occupied with various boxes and papers for...well, just about that long.

The last time it looked like this was three years ago during the Senator's re-election campaign.  If you look closely you can even see the black sharpie marks which are a result of signing lots and lots of letters.  I can get past the black sharpie marks. Really, I can.  They give this table some character.  I'm not sure I can say the same for the sealing glue or the boxes and boxes of envelopes.

When this table is clear of clutter, it has been the host of many fun dining experiences.  I use that term loosely as I am no Martha Stewart!  I just know who to call when I need a professional, shall I say, "meal" and I have dialed that number on numerous occasions.  I am not shy.  Like the time we had the Governor and his wife over for dinner with the newly elected members of the State Senate.  I certainly was not going to trump out my culinary skills for that one!  But we did add a leaf to the already long dining room table to make it even longer and fed eighteen for dinner.  And just so you know, the Governor wasn't bothered by the black sharpie marks either.

 I recently informed the Senator that Thanksgiving has been relocated this year.  He wasn't worried.

Political Photographs

We had a serious dilemma around our house recently. No, there was not a leak in our roof, the dog was alive and well (the last time I checked) and the dish washer was in full working order...maybe.

No, it was much, much more disturbing than that! September had turned into October, and October was...well, almost over and the Senator did not have a current family photograph to use for next year's re-election campaign.

We are picky about family photos that are used in campaign literature. They have to have that special element. Something that sets it apart, makes that person stand out. These photos have to be real, but at the same time capture the very essence of the candidate while exhibiting some form of positive energy. Personally, I like them to be edgy and unique.

There is an art form to this and my BFF, the Pioneer Woman was just the right person to make it all happen this year.

Thank-you PW for alleviating the stress that knocked on my door daily. I have officially checked campaign photo off the 'to do' list!

SW

Sonic Speed Chase

This is our rescue dog named Scooter.

Yes, that is a grilled cheese sandwich in his mouth!

It was from Sonic and it belonged to the Senator's son.  Well, before he left it sitting on the table - alone - for roughly five seconds. But, that would be just enough time for Scooter to snatch it up off the table and take it down under for consumption.



We were in shock really that this dog could maneuver so quickly to steal a sandwich literally right out from under our eyes.  Totally speechless,  that we just stood there laughing at him and each other.  

It's not like this dog is hungry.  Seriously, he is very well fed and obviously a tad bit spoiled.

So,  the Senator's son decided to chase him around the house in an attempt to steal the grilled cheese back. NO, not because he was going to eat it or anything, definitely not that, but more for a show of look who is boss now Scooter!  Or, I can run faster than you Scooter...Or, you just stole my afternoon snack and I'm gonna make you work for it...

If only for just a moment...


I think Scooter needs some time at the spa.

SW

New Hampshire

I spent some time recently in New Hampshire. Well, actually I sit on the national board of American Mothers, Inc. which is the organization that selects the National Mother of the Year. They meet four times a year usually in different parts of the country and this time our meeting happened to be in Manchester, New Hampshire. Mind you, New York and Connecticut are as "far east" as I have ever traveled, but somewhere inside me I have always felt like I should be living up there! I don't know why, seriously, I don't. I couldn't even explain it to the Senator properly, other than once I arrived in New Hampshire it made sense, just that feeling like I had been there before or belonged there. Creepy. 

Anyway, flying in to Manchester you could hear everyone gasping on the plane and oohing and aahing over the leaves. Leaves people. Like the leaves on trees. Except these leaves were magnificent colors, bright, bright reds and yellows and oranges like none I had ever seen before. These leaves made our Oklahoma foliage look somewhat, how shall I say... muted.

Anyway, as I hopped in my rented car, I just drove and drove purposefully getting lost on the winding and very narrow two lane roads. I passed by the old churches and wood framed houses and historic buildings that happened to be right next to a field with a John Deere tractor parked out in the middle of it.   I was incredibly fortunate not to have wrecked the rental car or run off the two lane road even though it was quite obvious I was a tourist in this town.  They should just paint that on the side of all rental cars,  Caution, tourist behind the wheel!

Then there were more trees. Beautiful tall trees whose leaves were just starting to change.




New Hampshirans (?) were hospitable folks who take their 'live free or die' motto v-e-r-y s-e-r-i-o-u-s-l-y. In fact, one day several of us ventured out to a local lunch spot and noticed a few legal petitions posted on the back wall of the restaurant. When I inquired about what those referred to - the local resident said that basically it's their right in New Hampshire to not adhere to a specific law, in this case the Sunday Laws, and that the legal document was posted on the wall explaining which law they were not in agreement with. Live free or die people!

The Senator could live here. Really, he could.



He would most certainly like this quaint Episcopal Church if he could see past those nasty telephone wires. They really should bury those things.

 

SW

Breaking News

No, there has not been a terrorist attack, political assassination attempt or the death of a rock star....One of my favorite USC players was injured yesterday in a weight lifting accident. He is lucky to be alive and out for the season I would assume.  Yes, I can hear all my Sooner friends rejoicing. Their dislike for my team dates back to the 2005 Orange Bowl and for good reason, but they have their own injured players to keep them occupied with these days.  

In fact, USC's Stafon Johnson has a lot in common now with Oklahoma's wounded quarterback, Sam Bradford.  Aside from being stellar athletes in their chosen sport and all around great guys, they both will be watching their team from the sidelines as they worry about their status for the NFL draft next year.   

That can not be fun.  

I know, I know, it is easy to become obsessed with a high school or college football team and get caught up in that school spirit. But it is completely something else when you have actually had the chance to meet a player or two, exchange a few words and realize that these guys are truly inspirational on many different levels.  

For instance, take this particular USC running back, Stafon Johnson, who is currently in critical condition at a downtown Los Angeles hospital, he is one of those players. This past summer, Stafon took some time out of his day to motivate and encourage a couple hundred young, aspiring football players at a USC football camp. He spoke of persistence, determination and discipline and his words were gobbled up by these kids. When he was finished speaking, instead of bolting out of there like he had better things to do, Stafon stuck around for quite some time apparently not just to take photos with the kids, who coach Carroll had already sent back to drills, but he was chit chatting with their parents -most of whom were hanging around waiting for their chance to talk to the coaches, the players or snap a photo with USC's #2 on the depth chart RB (running back).

Myself included.

I'm not shy.  

And, I really wish Stafon well as he recovers from this life changing accident.  I am hopeful that his same words of persistence, determination and discipline that he shared with the Senator's son this summer, will guide him to a speedy and full recovery.

The Senator's Wife

September

"Do you remember, the 24th day of September..."

That would be a pirated version of the Earth, Wind and Fire song the Senator and I love so much. We l-o-v-e this song because it is so....so...well, reminiscent of our youth?  Maybe that is a stretch, but it sure makes for fun dancing music.  The Senator and I have other reasons to love this song however, in that the title is September!  The month we got hitched!  Who cares if we amend the date a little bit each time we hear it, right?

I love this photo of our wedding for many reasons, but the best is what you don't see in the picture. Aside from the big grin and wide smiles on our glowing face, while we were strolling down the aisle and out of the church the Senator had a little wardrobe mishap.  Yes, the vest he was wearing under his jacket decided it would fly the coop and pop off.  Bing, just like that, and timed its release right at the moment this terrific photo was being taken.  

To make this much more of a dilemma, it would be our FAVORITE photo from the wedding ceremony. A trauma for which the Senator's mother-in-law had never seen the likes.  Trauma, because this happened waaay before the digital age and it was not like our fab photographer, Mr. Dinsmore, would able to select the next one in the series of 500 matching shots for us to choose.  No, this was it.  The only photo and our particular favorite.

Well, the Senator's mother-in-law assured us this problem was quite fixable and had that "fab" photographer prove his "fabness" by asking him to delicately airbrush the very white and shining star of the photo, the strap to the Senator's vest, right out of the picture.  Which is why this is my most favorite pic of them all.  Aside from the fact that I was now the Mrs. Senator and a very, very happy one to boot.

I dare ya to look for the strap.  Airbrushing was an art form in 1994. 

This next photo is the Senators favorite.  I don't know why - other than it says "we are outta here"!

My sweet, sweet cousin caught that bouquet I was so intent on sending in her direction.  Soon after our wedding, she ended up marrying the guy she was dating and now they have four children.  Love that.  I also love this next one....from the honeymoon series.

Paris. Paris. Paris.


Cannes. Cannes. Cannes.  No explanation needed!

And, a little treat just for you Senator, on this very special most wonderful day!

Love, from the Mrs.

1994

Fifteen years ago on this very evening...




I was about to become a Senator's wife. Although, he wasn't yet a Senator.  Not even close. Just a businessman, community volunteer and from the looks of this picture a hunk-a hunk-a burning love man.

And that hair!  Oh that hair. Mine, not his of course!  Whatever was I thinking?  This was 1994 yet I look to be still stuck in 1985.  Does anyone wear bangs these days? Did they back then? 

I have fond memories from the night before our BIG wedding day fifteen years ago.  The Senator's mother hosted a lovely dinner for us, hence the formal attire, and lots of our friends and family gathered to help us celebrate.

I remember being overwhelmed at the kindness they offered in the form of best wishes, words of congratulations and silly, obnoxious toasts.  What is it with the pre-wedding toasts when all of your very dear and closest friends, friends who are like family, feel compelled to let every skeleton out of the closet?  Not sure I ever got that.  Anyway, our friends began appearing several days before our wedding to help us celebrate and it is their friendship and the memories of those last few remaining hours before my life would change forever that linger. 

It's safe to say that the last fifteen years have been one heck of an awesome ride. Thank you Senator!