A Response...

I got an e-mail response today from my Governor's Office.  Exactly one month after I sent my e-mail.  

Two weeks ago I actually sent a snail mail copy of my e-mail since I felt like my e-mail was probably NOT going to be addressed.  

I did NOT get my pocket knife back.  And I am sure my state's security thinks I'm a nut case.  

At least I feel like my voice was heard.  

The Unattended...

Dear Governor:

My question concerns visiting the State House and its security...today in particular. While entering today with a group of high school visitors, and going through security my small Victorinox pocket knife was not allowed. Why? And I ask because just two weeks ago while going on spring break and flying from Indy to Florida I went through security and they allow small pocket knives. So Why? And, as I left I asked for it back and was told no..."they are disposed of." So my next question is Where are they disposed to? I am curious, are there no scissors longer than my tiny little 1 inch blade of my pocket knife in the desks I saw secretaries sitting behind? Truly I did forget about my pocket knife being in my purse. My over site. Had I not traveled by air recently I might have been a bit more diligent in removing it from my purse. I happen to be an old girl scout leader and do believe in being prepared. I think I am mostly bummed because, although not a rare or too expensive item, my pocket knife had been a gift from my nephew...who just happens to be a boy scout. I think having my pocket knife confiscated made me think twice about security in our State House. As I looked around while I was waiting to go into both the House and Senate Chambers with the 12 Bloomington North Science Olympiad State Champions and teacher I was accompanying, I did notice (and took pictures) of several briefcase bags that were left unattended. It seems to me as a law abiding taxpayer, I definitely was treated a bit like a criminal today. At least when I went to the airport there are warnings about leaving bags unattended and security who appeared to be monitoring bigger threats and not mom's just being chaperon's on a trip to honor scholars. Hopefully I have learned my lesson. Hopefully there will be much better ways for my tax dollars to be used.

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E-mailed tonight.  Do you think I will get a response?  

Let's just say I am NOT holding my breath.  

What today means to me...

New Frontiers, 

A Time of Hope, 

A New Way of Thinking, 

Freshness, 

The Next Generation, 

Connecting With Others, 

Common Goals, 

Re-Birth of America, 

Family Importance, 

Opened Minds

Next Time!

Wow! What a night! My husband and I were up until 12:30am with our teenage children.  We watched both Senators make their final speeches of this race.  

In the early hours of the night we all went about our evening routines but we had our ears tuned into the radio. By 10:30, we were all gathered around the television watching CNN, I had a laptop...on my lap, checking our state and local results. 

At 11pm CNN officially called Senator Obama our President Elect. I turned to my son and said, "Guess what? You and I shook the President's hand." What a ride these past six months have been politically.

I know the four of us will be tired tonight. To witness history is worth a day of yawns. Last night was so major for our country. I recall back to my own parents and their political influences over me as I was growing up. I can't help but wonder what they would have made of last night. Would they have been progressive enough to have looked past political parties, race and age? Would they have been so open minded to have had some of the conversations with me that I had with my children this time around? I wonder.

On Monday afternoon I chatted with my brother and just before we hung up I said, "Have fun voting tomorrow!" A while later I received an e-mail from him saying he and his wife voted early because 'neither candidate was worth standing in line for.'  I beg to differ on that point. Republican or Democrat, ALL candidates are worth standing in line for. In America, having a choice and having your voice be heard makes it so. Hope, Democracy, Respect, Change, Improvement, Perseverance, Reform, Prosperity...just a few of the words that describe this wonderful country in which we live.

In 2012, our next Presidential race, both of my children will have the opportunity to make their voices heard.  Yes, they can!  

Wasn't going to go...but...

Well, I wasn't going to go to the Barack Obama rally that happened last night here in town.  I was all set to listen on-line to the live speech.  Then, 6:20pm rolled around, my son was pretty much done with his homework and his friend called and said, "Are we going?"  

By 7pm  the boys and I were in the hall, seated and into the moment.  Senator Obama's speech was suppose to be at 8:30.  At first I thought maybe I would be the odd man out as a still slightly skeptical voter sitting there ready to hear what the Senator had to say.  I was surprised how much like me the folks around me seemed to be.  I think all the fanatical folks were really down close...they had been waiting for hours for their spots.  The more realistic, thinkers didn't care where they sat.  We were there to HEAR the words and be in the moment.  

Truly it is time for a change.  I don't know how anyone could listen to Senator Obama and NOT feel like he connects with you.  He definitely oozes hope.  I like that.  

a SAHM's hunt...

SAHM = Stay at Home Mom

What I love about being a SAHM is that when my children need something I can totally be there for them.  Whether it's to bring them a book, pick them up for an appointment or go on a hunt; I can be available without worry.   

Last week, on Friday, there was a rumor that Barack Obama would be stopping in town.  It was to be a "surprise visit".  My children are not voting age, but they talk of politics in their Social Studies classes.  How exciting to have an opportunity to see a presidential candidate up close.  

The following is something I posted on my husband's family blog:  

***the above photo was taken by my friend's husband***

On Friday, Senator Obama spoke to crowds in Columbus and Terre Haute, IN.  In between his talks he stopped by Bloomington.  What a day it was!  There was an air of anticipation around town.  Besides the fact that it was Little 500 weekend, to have a presidential candidate possibly come through town make Bloomington buzz!  

Bloomingtonians played "Where's Obama?" using the local newspaper blog entries as clues.  I swear I clicked my "refresh" button at least 300 times Friday afternoon on the HT's site.  Very little else got done at home!  

Stephen had said he'd like to go see the Senator if given the chance.  As he left for school Friday morning I told him, to keep his cell phone on vibrate - I'd text him if I knew anything.  Stephen had a field trip that day so I was able to call him without getting him into trouble.  When I finally got word that Obama was really going to stop in town, I called Stephen to let him know what was up.  Unfortunately for us, Michelle had to be at ballet rehearsal when Obama was suppose to be at the Little 500 track.  I told Stephen that after we'd drop Michelle off, I'd go on an Obama hunt with him and we'd see if we could find the Senator.  

After Senator Obama went to the Little 500 track, my sources said he was going to be at the Sample Gates (famous spot on campus) and walking down Kirkwood (a main street in town).  Those two spots do intersect.  So, Stephen and I went to hangout downtown.  A friend of mine kept me posted on our other friend's, Kim...whose husband is responsible for the great photo above, whereabouts.  I knew when Obama had left the track.  About five minutes later I heard the sirens from his police escort.  I called Chris, who was still at work to tell him the latest.  He said he was walking towards me but that he thought Stephen and I needed to get to Nick's...just a block away from where we were.  Chris said the police had the place blocked off and weren't allowing anyone to enter there.  

Stephen, his friend Harry and I went towards Nick's.  It was probably only three or four minutes before we saw a small crowd of people walking around the corner.  Senator Obama was smiling and shaking hands as he made his way towards us...yes, we all know he was really going to Nick's!  Stephen, Harry and I started to cross the street and were stopped by Chris who said the Secret Service (SS) men wouldn't let us do that.  I said I didn't care and we went anyway.  There was no crowd where we went.  The SS did tell us we needed to back up but I protested and said we just wanted to shake Senator Obama's hand.  WE SHOOK HIS HAND!!!!!!!!!!

As he approached I found myself speechless.  It's true I am a registered Republican.  I was totally crossing drawn lines.  But, this is a very charismatic, change-blazing, youthful, connecting-to-me-more-than-my-slated-GOP-candidate, individual who was walking right my way.  I was in the presence of a history maker.  I graciously put forth my hand and said, "Senator Obama, It's a pleasure."  He's so tall!  What a nice handshake too.  The moment I shook his hand seemed so larger than life.

I am glad for my children that even though I am registered voter of one party, I am not so narrow minded to keep them from being involved in history.  I do feel that no matter what happens in November, my son is on the shirttails of being a part of big changes coming our way as a nation.  It is his future, and my daughter's, I need to make a difference in.  I am raising my children to become their own individuals: free in thoughts, actions and dreams.  

Maybe someday I can put on my resume, raised a US Senator, Congressperson or President.  Regardless of those titles, I aim to raise a couple of wonderful human beings.  

For the best pictures of Senator Obama's quick visit to Bloomington check out my friend's blog:  www.twoboysandabeagle.blogspot.com