Proud to be a woman

I have spent the last 20 years emotionally and intellectually involved in the GOP. So, I live for election season every 4 years. A few months ago I got wind of a possible VP selection that I found to be appealing. I told folks when we talked Veepstake speculations to watch out for the governor of Alaska. I knew this would be a valuable pick for a number of reasons. When I woke up on Friday, I was prepared to accept Mitt Romney as the pick. I was certain McCain wouldn't pick my girl. My mother called me at 8:30 to inform me the rumors started to fly and it could be Sarah Palin. The day was gone at that point. I had to keep my eyes to Foxnews.com for the story. Before I knew it, my inbox on both my phone and computer was filling up with emails about Palin. It was her! McCain picked my girl!!! I couldn't believe it. Ecstatic and elated are the best descriptions for my reaction. Gov. Palin is an amazing woman and a brilliant pick. Not only will I vote, I will vote with enthusiasm. And for the first time, I plan to participate in the campaign process in my area. I will forever remember this moment in time when a woman of character and substance, a woman that has found balance between family and career, and a woman that isn't afraid to get dirty and sweaty has the opportunity to break the glass ceiling of executive leadership in our country. I have been proud of my country many, many times before now, but I am especially proud to be a woman right now.

DMV Select

So, I have dreaded going to the DMV to title and register my car. I made a trip to a regular DMV location yesterday. If you know me at all, there are very few places that I go without my water bottle. I mean, you never know how long you will be somewhere and your mouth become parched. Upon entering the DMV, a lady told me that they could not help me until I took the water bottle out. NOTE: Do not bring any water bottles into the building. In fact, I would suggest keeping any food or drink at least at a 5 mile radius. I thought, "This is going to set the tone for this visit." I returned and was informed I didn't have the right information. Not much direction or help so that I can return for a successful trip. Well, my girlfriend at work tipped me off to the DMV Select location at the Courthouse. I made the trip this afternoon. I LOVED it! The woman was extremely helpful and courteous. Even though I didn't have a piece of info that she needed, she told me what to do to get it and then waited while I made a phone call to track it down. I let her know over and over again how appreciative I was for her pleasant disposition. I am sending a comment card and letting you know that you should visit them for all your DMV needs (except licenses because they don't do that). No wait, friendly staff, and a very nice facility. You can't go wrong. As for the DMV proper, they are on my hit list with the USPS.

FDT Wisdom

"This crisis half a world away confirms what I’ve been saying for a while: This election cycle, the traffic in the world is very heavy …and dangerous; it’s no time to give a kid with barely a learner’s permit the keys to the car." Fred D. Thompson

John L. Hutchins - It's been so long

I completely forgot to mention what a wonderful pleasure it was to see John L. Hutchins on my trip to Cleveland. His extensive library (including the Septuagint and Die Bibel) would lead you to believe he has profound theological knowledge. I hear he is pretty smart. I mean, he did marry Mur...

Much Needed Girl Time!

Me and Mur

Joanna and Amy "Whatup" Watkins made a trip north to visit with Mur and I on Saturday. What fun!!! We kicked the day off with a trip to Becky's. Joanna bought 3 pairs, Whatup bought 3 pairs, and I bought 2 pairs. Joanna informed me that at the beginning of the trip, she was praying for safety and Whatup interjected "and allow us to find good deals at Becky's". Joanna wanted us to remember that Whatup prayed our steals and deals in. According to Whatup, "You have to trust Him in the little things." Amen, sister. Then we scooped up Mur and headed to Gardner's Market. I tried my first Muffleta (since I was going to be eating chicken salad later at Jenkins) and really enjoyed it. Then, we decided to do what every good Lee Alumni/COGers would do in Cleveland - Pathway Bookstore.

I'm not 30 yet, so I can get away with being silly. We laughed alot and fortunately did not get thrown out. To kill time until we got hungry again for Jenkins, we decided to do some drive-bys of old residences and then visit the campus (my 2nd time). Whatup and I decided to get pictures with the Sigma fountain (SHINE ON!) and the Beach Building. Joanna and I just got a random picture on the fondly remembered Ped Mall.

Me and Whatup - ENE Spring '97 with our fountain

This could be our last visit to the Beach Building. It is being replaced.

Me and Joanna on the Ped Mall. The furniture there is nice these days.

Lee University Tour

So, I did something that I never do when I go home. I took a tour of Lee University. Brad and I took Pattee and Rob around to show them the school and I decided it was time to get a picture with my brick!

Whitewater Rafting

I finally made a trip home to Cleve-Vegas. My friends, Pattee and Rob, decided they would come if I took them Whitewater rafting. My buddy, Kent Holmes, is still guiding and made arrangements for us to take a trip. I was excited to see Kent since it has been forever since we last spoke. Fortunately, we were the last trip down and Kent only took the 3 of us in the raft. I promise it was the best trip down I have ever had. He was able to play around alot and we revisited a lot of the rapids since there were only a handful of rafts out that afternoon. Of course, he gave his tourist lines of the history of each rapid and the geology of the mountains. Pattee and Rob said he has ruined it for them to ever go with anyone else. It was tops!

Fruit of my labor

If you remember, I have planted tomatoes for the first time in my life. Yesterday, I picked my first ripe tomato! Now, I am not a huge tomato fan but there is something about eating from your own backyard. I sliced the tomato, threw half an avocado on top, and enjoyed every yummy morsel. I can't wait for the others to ripen. This garden thing is awesome. Stay tuned for the lone jalapeno that should be ripe soon.