Meet Momma Reiner

This is my college friend, Kimberly.  She bakes fudge, or should I say she creates delicious chocolate recipes and sells them all across the country.  She is amazing and hugely successful. She is also very tan in this photo and I am not. Maybe that is why they called me the pale chick in college.  Looking back, I think I earned that title, don't you?

Recently, when we were in California Momma Reiner blocked off the entire day to spend with us at the beach.  In fact, she treated us to a beautiful day at her beach club with all the husbands and kids.

Just in case you were wondering, we are wrapped in jackets and towels because it was a mere 70 degrees outside, not because I am into extreme sun protectionism or anything.  

The Senator's daughter was mesmerized by Kimberly.  But, then she knows a smart, successful woman when she sees one.  The Senator's daughter is savvy like that.

Kimberly also invited another sorority sister of ours to join us because she lives in the same neck of the woods and belongs to the same beach club.  Those Californians! This was so much fun for me as I had not seen Kitty since college...and she looks the very same with enough energy to supply the state of California into eternity.

She brought along her two adorable daughters because it was a good day for some female bonding.

Our husbands were all also there and occupied themselves by playing a very competitive dice game.  Not sure whether they did this so we could chat and catch up, or if they were really actually into the dice game.  I'm thinking the latter and regret not having taken a moment to photograph these men and their dice.  After all, the entire beach club had begun to notice them and I was just glad that we were from out of town and didn't know a soul.  Just kidding.

Then it was time to go home and no one was happy about that.  The Senator's son is only smiling because Momma Reiner's son, who is sitting in the car, is going to have his own television show some day. Saturday Night Live, meet Mr. Reiner.

Love, the Senator's Wife

Tea Time

The Senator's daughter is obsessed with tea cups.  Well, the colorful tea cups at any Disney theme park. Forget about Cinderella and the Castle, Minnie and Mickey, even the Dumbo ride, we have to head straight to the tea cups once inside the park.  

I have yet to figure out what her obsession is with this particular tea cup ride.  Allison in Wonderland is not one of her top ten favorites stories, and this ride is no roller coaster.  It's all about the spin.  I'm sure this fixation must go back to when she was 3 years old and on her first trip to Disney World with her grandparents.  My father obliged her request to sit in a tea cup and spin not once, not twice but too many times to keep count until she became bored with spinning, or just dizzy.  My father deserved combat pay for his time in the tea cup.

However, spinning is not always fun for everyone.  Especially me.  So on this trip to Disneyland, I was her intended victim.  She smelled the fear.

Except, this time the Senator's daughter handed over the controls to the Senator's son, asking him to do the honors....of spinning that is.

What a colossal mistake. None of us had ever spun so fast and furious. Forget about water boarding, the tea cup ride is a kinder, gentler form of torture.    Just look at the joy on that face. He knew what he was doing and loved every minute of it!


Disney really should have a logo'd barf bag at the ready.  


It wasn't pretty.


Even the Senator, who was attempting to photograph our tea cup adventure, couldn't keep up with the camera due to the uncontrollable and rapid spinning.

I'm sure he found that enjoyable, I mean it being Father's Day and all! 

Love, the still spinning Senator's Wife

USC

We just returned from a few days in Los Angeles where our son participated in a USC football camp.  I have to preface this post by telling you that I went to USC and I love, love, love my alma mater.  It is a great University and I have incredible memories from my college days...which the Senator was quick to note occurred roughly twenty years ago.  Ouch!

I forced the Senator and our children to take a tour, pose by the statue of Tommy Trojan and see the dorm and house where I once lived.  I don't know who had more fun.  Our son...

doing drills with the USC coaching staff....






and having Pete Carroll sign the back of his t-shirt....

Or me...

hanging out with Taylor Mays, probably one of the best college defensive players....   

and wide receiver Staffon Johnson.

Then there was Pete Carroll. I'm just speechless, really.  He worked with the kids all day and was truly inspirational.

Yes, the Senator is fully aware of my hopeless infatuation with Pete Carroll. I think I might be banned from attending camp next year.

Love, the Senator's Wife

Famous Friends

I don't know many bloggers, but the ones I do know happen to be, well...uh, famous.  Take for instance, my friend Pioneer Woman - you all know about her.  But, I have another friend who blogs and cooks and lives in Los Angeles.  She and I were sorority sisters in college, good friends and actually kept in touch after our college careers ended.   

My friend, Momma Reiner has a fudge shop.  It is a really yummy fudge shop, or so says Martha Stewart...  

And, Oprah...

 ...and all the people who live in Pacific Palisades where her shop is located.

Momma Reiner bakes sweets...and now she wants your recipe! Not only does she want your sweet tooth, but all of the history behind your old family recipe. She means business people.  I love this girl.

I hope to see her shop while we are in Los Angeles too....YUM!

Do I have to walk a few extra miles for that....yeah, probably.

Happy Weekend!

The soon to be full, fat and happy Senator's Wife  

It's summer time, the kids are enjoying their favorite activities, the Senator is working his other job and I am trying to impose some sort of structure on our carefree and happy family life.  Thank goodness it is not an election year, I repeat NOT an election year.  If it were, the Senator would be up for re-election and that would certainly change the dynamics around here.  

But you would never guess this summer was a freebie based solely on the amount of political mail we have been receiving.  Numerous solicitation letters, phone calls, political newsletters, emails, twitters and political fundraisers. LOTS of political fundraisers I might add.

The Senator tells me that the deluge in mail and the significant increase in political fundraising events is due to a new law the Legislature past last year.  This legislation bans any type of political fundraising by state legislators during the legislative session.   

This does explain the dramatic increase in current political activity, but I'm wondering what they were thinking when they passed this law, really?  I mean, it gives a tremendous advantage to those who have the capability to self fund their own race, not to mention those candidates running for other offices because this law only applies to the Legislature.  Hmmmmm.  

Just curious about some of the stuff that goes down at the Capitol.  That's all. 

The Senator's Wife

 

There has been a lot of discussion lately about the role of government.  Should the government control corporate pay?  Is government run health care the answer?  Can government save the auto industry?  

I'm curious what you think the role of government in the United States should be... What exactly is the government's job description?  

Just thinking about these things today...

the Senator's Wife

Oklahoma Roots

Yesterday the 2009 National Young Mother of the Year was in town.  Kimberly Wright was born and raised in Oklahoma but currently lives in Las Vegas.  She was chosen for this honor by American Mothers, Inc., an organization rich in history that is responsible for selecting the National Mother of the Year and Young Mother.  This organization is also the official sponsor of Mother's Day.  Anyway, Kimberly is adorable and if you can believe it-has four children under the age of eight!

My mother and I had a tea party for her - and invited a lot of our friends. (And, no you do not have to be a blonde to be considered!)

Shelly, our 2009 Oklahoma Young Mother is pictured here in between my mother and one of our good friends who came by to meet Kimberly.
These two young mothers first met at the National Convention of American Mothers, Inc. in Portland last April.  So this made for a nice reunion of sorts.
Barbara, pictured below on the left was the National Mother of the Year in 1995.  That seems like so long ago and she looks the very same now as she did then.  Some people just age well, so can we be jealous of that for a minute?
It was a lovely afternoon and a great way to introduce American Mothers, Inc. to our community and explain how this process works.   I am sure you know a mother who is worthy of this honor.  For more information you can go to the American Mothers, Inc. website to learn how you can become involved in your state.

Love, the Senator's Wife

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words!

You all, I read a lot of political websites.  I read liberal web sites and conservative web sites, local and national political sites and websites containing lots and lots of political opinions.  Maybe I read them out of sheer interest, or because I'm weird or looking for a real life distraction from the politics that live in my house...I do not know and it really doesn't matter.

But, this morning, as I was scanning these web sites I saw the funniest picture that just made me laugh.  Out loud.  It is not a political picture... really.  I mean, there was no story with the photo, or a credit for the photographer nor is what I'm saying about politics because I happen to actually like both of the women in the picture.

I thought this was just way too funny and I wanted to share. Probably because I have often wondered what those two women really thought of each other....



...and I guess now we know!

Happy Monday!

the Senator's Wife

Our Teenager!

Yikes! We have a teenager!

Thirteen years ago today I birthed this nine and a half pound bundle of joy! The Senator and I pulled an all- nighter in labor and delivery.  We walked the halls, tried to sleep, realized that this boy was going to arrive on his own time and in his own fashion.  I had not stayed up all night since college but figured this was just Gods way of preparing new parents for the upcoming lifetime of sleep deprivation. 

Hospitals can be a very quiet place at night.   

The Senator and I watched a series of thunderstorms from our hospital window.  Well he watched while I kept asking when they would be coming by to administer my pain medication. Can we just talk about the benefits of having an epidural? O.k., maybe not but I highly recommend one.  

Anyway, as we watched the sun rise that morning, the pace of our son's arrival picked up and he was born at exactly 9:05 am on D-Day.  I could not have picked a better birthday for him.  He has such a passion for history. 

It has been so much fun watching this little boy grow....



and grow....



and grow...



Grow into this fine young man who continues to make his parents proud.   

So what is it they say about teenagers? Because I'm not getting it, yet...

Love, the Senator's Wife

Pioneer Woman and the Senator's Wife

It came as no surprise that I would run into my good friend, Pioneer Woman while we were in New York.

You see, Pioneer Woman and I have known each other since before we were born. Our moms have maintained a life long friendship that began in college.  Our dad's went to Medical School together. We were born two years and one week apart and grew up on golf courses, albeit in separate cities, but we spent the summers together.  We traveled together and even went to the same college together.   After all, we are 'friends till the end', from 'womb to tomb'.

But the similarities don't end there.  After graduation from USC, PW and I both worked in big cities.  She was in Los Angeles while I worked in Washington DC.  Yet it was no coincidence when we each decided, on our own of course, that we would be moving back home to Oklahoma.  Our lives have always been in sync that way. Always.

And as for our girls...

 

They will be friends forever because they were friends before they were born. They don't really have a choice, do they?

So, naturally I just smiled when I learned that PW and the girls would be in New York the same time we would. This came as no surprise at all.  And, boy did we have fun!

We walked the streets and took a lot of photos.  Well, PW did.
  

I just watched our girls enjoy one another while she documented it for eternity.  Friendships that pick up right where they left off are to be treasured. And their excitement to see one another in New York City was just flat out fun to watch.   

Dinner was rather festive at Quality Meats. PW chose the location because when you have one of the country's best blogs with hundreds of thousands of followers, you receive tons of fabulous recommendations when you travel.  I love having famous friends!  

And if you have ever eaten a meal with Pioneer Woman, you are aware that each plate of food is analyzed and photographed.   My salad was "uneventful", while her 4lb lobster was "divine".    

The girls ditched their gnocchi to inspect the bathroom at Quality Meats!  It's a girl thing.

Let's just acknowledge that Quality Meats will never have a shortage of hand towels in their ladies room. Never.

Because PW and I  worked hard at having a "happy plate", we desperately needed to walk off those scrumptious calories.  So what did we do? We headed to Dylan's Candy Bar.  I love New York for that. 

Dylan's is a MUST see in New York.  It is a colorful candy store that was started by Ralph Lauren's daughter. And I mean colorful!

Just imagine the tub full of gum balls that greets each visitor!  Our girls totally ignored the sign that said 'please do not touch'.  Can you blame them?
Who knew there could be enough candy to fill a three story building! I treated them to these little vials of sugar while PW gave them empty, plastic bags with instructions to 'fill them to the brim' with candy.  Our girls aren't spoiled or anything.

Of course, some people with a famous blog just can't leave their technology alone.
But, I suppose when you have over 18,000 followers on twitter alone it's hard to keep up!

 

You go girl!

Love, the Senator's Wife

P.S.  Oops! As of this afternoon, that would be over 19,000 followers on Twitter for PW!  Dang.

A Trip to Tribecca

Last summer a film crew came to our house and filmed our family just doing our normal, every day stuff. It was an, um, lets say an interesting experience and all for a documentary being made on motherhood in America. If I didn't really like the film's director so much, I never would have agreed to let them invade our home and our lives for a few days. The thought of having people follow you around just creeps me out. Besides, we are not that interesting.

Anyway, the film's director, Sarah Klein lives and works in New York and knowing we were going to be there a few days I decided to give her a call. I love knowing interesting, smart people who do important things and after sending me a fabulous list of 'must see' items in the Big Apple, Sarah invited me to her studio to screen the film. Of course I said yes.

So, last week in New York I left the Senator in charge....at the American Girl Doll Store...



...while I went on a mission to SoHo. A mission to screen this film and possibly bump in to a famous person or two. And boy did I have fun. It had been too long since I traipsed about independently in a big city. And the SoHo -Tribecca area is like a mecca for artists. You can feel it in the air. That air has atmosphere.

Sarah met me at the door, and quickly pointed out that the apartment where Heath Ledger died was right across the street and occasionally the Olsen twins (Mary Kate and Ashley) will walk by because they live in that building. I wanted to ask if we could hang outside for a while but I didn't want to be rude. I just took a photo instead.



Maybe I was simply a little hesitant to go in and watch that documentary. But, we did go in and screen the film and it was such a pleasant surprise. She has put together a very interesting piece that follows a handful of mothers in America. It was like watching a reality t.v. show I think, but I tried to look past that (the reality part) and see the bigger picture.

Then we went to a hip restaurant called Cafe Balthazar. I knew it was a really hip place because it was packed at three o'clock in the afternoon and the only spot to sit was at the bar. Bummer. So, we had a glass of wine and talked about the film. We talked about some of her other projects, and about how this film has been released in Europe, but how she is looking at several different options for release in the United States.

I found myself sitting in a very posh New York establishment, talking about life and film with a brilliant documentary film maker. I must have been so enthralled that I forgot I had to be back for dinner by 6:30. Oops.

And it was raining outside which causes a severe shortage of available cabs in New York.

Why is it New Yorkers, who love to walk everywhere, don't walk in the rain? I don't even think they take the trains when it's raining.

Not to worry though, Sarah hailed me a cab in typical New York fashion. I would never have been that, shall we say, gracefully aggressive? As we said our quick goodbyes I knew I did not want this afternoon to end. I need to get out more often. So, I secretly wished that this cab might be the cash cab. Have you ever heard of the cash cab? The cab that drives around New York and asks trivia questions of its passengers...and with each correct answer the passenger gets some cash? I know, I watch too much television.

So, naturally I asked this cab driver if today was my lucky day? Was I riding in the cash cab? He looked at me funny and stuttered for a minute. Then he finally said, "lady, all cabs have cash".

There was a little language barrier. So I sat back and enjoyed the ride home in silence, quite satisfied that my day with a director across from where Heath Ledger died was good enough.

Next up, dinner with an old friend...

Love, the Senator's Wife

Big Time in the Big City!

It was a big time in the Big Apple this past week for the Senator.  We just returned from a quick trip to New York City with our daughter and boy did we ever have a great time.  The Senator's mother came along for the ride too.  The President was also there...and so was Prince Harry.  

The Senator likes to tell people it was our first time to go to New York together.  And he is right about that, even though it was not our first time to ever go to New York.  

However, it was a first for the Senator's daughter.

I think she had fun.

I tortured them each day with cultural activities.

The Senator tortured me with shopping opportunities.

And fun little rides through Central Park.



And, just so you know, these little bike-carts are the only "Green" way to travel around town. Aside from being "green", you do meet a rather nice assortment of interesting characters traveling that way!

Love, the Senator's Wife

Next up, famous people and friends in the Big Apple