The Senator's Wife

I promised you a post about the Speaker’s Ball a few weeks back. Total fail. Both me and the actual event. What a weird experience. My, oh my goodness.

Let me back up a bit.

Ten years ago when the Senator and I attended our first Speaker’s Ball, it was a really fun experience. My Senator had just been elected and we promised each other we would attend as many events as possible…

The Speaker’s Ball was one of the first and resembled a high school reunion of sorts where everyone seemed to be excited to see each other for the first time in a long while. We were new to the game so we just watched, had a drink and tried to figure out who the real players were in the room.

People really dressed up, there was a reception, dinner and entertainment. No program really, other than the Speaker of the House took to the microphone and thanked everyone for coming as they ushered in a new legislative session. Looking back, it was really nice being the fly on that wall.

Fast forward a few years and the leadership in the House of Representatives changed….which meant the Speaker’s Ball fell into the hands of another party planner. Literally.

I’m not sure what they have been trying to do with this event, but every year since has been a different experience. One year, the party was dry, like prohibition.  Some years there has been a long program with speakers. More recently, the Speaker’s Ball resembled a high school prom or even a wedding reception.

Then, there was this year….

And this…

This lady greeted you as you entered the room and if you look closely, you can see the water that was spraying from her fingers like a fountain as she moved them to music. It was a pretty neat effect, really… if you were roaming around Ceasar’s Palace in Las Vegas.

I am still at a loss for words when it comes to the rest of this event so I think I’ll just leave it there.

And, besides… I am cooking and cleaning tonight because some of the Senator’s colleagues are coming over for dinner this week.  This is one of my favorite things that he does and I have written about it here.

More later – on all the above.  We are a good two weeks into session and things are just starting to get interesting! SW

I really think there is truth to the saying ‘when it rains it pours,’ and this week has been no exception! Everyone in our household has had stuff going on and mostly at the same time.  Even the house looked like it had been busy and the weather here in Oklahoma was nuts with several earthquakes, tornadoes, flooding rains, and wind. I’m beginning to wonder when we will see the locusts.

It was also an election day yesterday in many parts of the country which makes for an interesting news cycle and a feeding frenzy for journalists.  The Senator and I have found ourselves glued to the tube late at night watching the debates and news conferences.  A bad habit, I know, but none the less we are political junkies and this is like a mini date night on a busy day after the kids are asleep.  Not really.  Anyway, we have been squabbling recently over the coverage of such aforementioned news events and are now in a full-blown battle for control of the late night remote.

Just curious, but do you all have a favorite news outlet? If so, please let me know.  I need to find some neutral turf or another venue in the instance that I lose out to my man and his media!

Although, HBO hasn’t been so bad.

Yesterday was a rough day at the Capitol for my Senator.   He has a strong and consistent track record when it comes to protecting children.  He has championed legislation that protects them from those who wish to do them harm.  And, I’m talking the worst kind of harm….unthinkable crimes.

Well, it just so happens that those criminals eventually get released from prison and live in our city.  Yes, there are laws that regulate where they can live in relation to children and they are supposed to register that address with local law enforcement. …. but do they?  Do we really know where they are?

I know I am like most moms out there who are vigilant when it comes to protecting their children.  I know there are a handful of registered sex offenders who live in close proximity to our house.  I have looked them up online.  I know their names, their crimes and their address and I like having that information.  But there are so many more out there who don’t register this information.  These people are the outcasts of our society and they are justly treated as such.

In my city, however, there is a ministry that tries to help these people, even though I think they are beyond help.  They have a multi residence facility, if you can call it that, where these criminals live together.  They are registered with the law and we know where they live and who they are…  kind of like a leper colony.

I think there is a benefit to having them all together in one place.  Easier to track, easier to find and more likely they will register their location with local law enforcement.

Well, the city doesn’t want them there anymore.  And, I would be remiss if I didn’t say I wouldn’t want them there either.  Like most people, I don’t want them anywhere….anywhere where they can harm children.  However, unless we sentence them to a lifetime in jail, they will be somewhere and we should be vigilant in monitoring them and their behavior.

So, my Senator took on City Hall yesterday.  He made local and national news for his ‘emotional’ plea to not slap this ministry with frivolous restrictions which could potentially force this group to disband.  The bill failed on its first attempt as it should have.  It was a bad piece of legislation.  But, the city brought in the big guns to have it reconsidered.  They had three five lobbyists working it on the ground to get the votes when the floor leader brought it back for reconsideration.

One has to wonder what the motivation was for the city to take such extreme measures.  The land this ‘group home’ sits on is not desirable. I’m sure time and money will tell.  But for now, this ministry which helps the dregs of our society will most likely fold and there will be unintended consequences.  Horrible, unintended consequences.  These offenders will leave because they have to go somewhere and they will blend into our neighborhoods.  They will go unnoticed. They may or may not register with the local law enforcement and they will undoubtedly harm more children.

My Senator will be watching.  He is a consistent advocate for children down at the marble palace and I am extremely proud of him for voicing his opinions where their safety is concerned.

SW

Hilarious.

Fun.

Bipartisan.

Successful.

The Senator’s dinner last night at our house was certainly all of those but man can those guys throw back some food!

They also know how to have fun off the Senate floor which is a good thing, considering this was a bipartisan venue.  Just think the farmer and the cowman can be friends…ebony and ivory….I didn’t think anything of it but these guys did and they played it….as in played a joke on my Senator.

Evidently, two of them constructed a story in which they didn’t get a long..at all. They were supposedly in a huge feud over tractor parts and weren’t speaking to each other. It’s important to note that my Senator really doesn’t know much about tractor parts – which is why they picked it, and that the two in disagreement were members of the same party which made this “feud” even worse, I guess.  But, you get the picture and they played the part of feuding members to the hilt.  One of them even sent my Senator a note indicating that they both could attend the Senator’s dinner but ONLY if they didn’t have to sit together!

Needless to say, they had my Senator in the palm of their hands and he was a little worried about how this dinner was going to go….

You can imagine how funny it was when my Senator learned it was all a sham.  He was laughing so hard at how he had worried about it all day and talked about it all day to anyone who would listen.

They really had him going and enjoyed every minute of it!

I loved it too.

They also came bearing gifts….which was a nice touch.  Then, they laughed, played pool, watched a basketball game, ate dinner….laughed a whole lot more.  Really, I think our place had momentarily transformed itself into a fraternity house of sorts.

Much to my surprise however, they even quasi-cleaned up their mess.  Meaning they put all their dishes in the sink and trash in the trash can.  And, they thanked me for the delicious dinner.  Their momma’s would be so proud.

All in all, this is a nice thing the Senator can do for the out-of-town members and he is already planning the next one!  I can’t wait to see what they will think up next.

SW

The Senator invited some of his colleagues over for dinner tonight.  No, it is nothing like the Katherine Hepburn/Spencer Tracy movie.  No scandals, no controversy.. I mean, it is a bipartisan dinner but everyone gets along….I think?

Anyway, the Senator has entertained his fellow Senators several times before at our house, and I have to admit it has proved to be a really nice evening. You see, many of his fellow legislators live too far from the Capitol to drive home every night, so being able to enjoy a home cooked meal has its advantages.  Plus, there are no lobbyists on the guest list or any politicking on the agenda…just good food and fellowship and they all seem to have a lot of fun.

This year I had hoped to cook up something a little different just to keep it interesting.  In the past I have always made my Senator’s favorite, King’s Ranch Casserole….because it is his favorite meal and pretty much fool-proof.  I mean, if you can read you can certainly make this casserole and it always tastes better the second time around….I will be eternally grateful for that!  In fact, the first year we did this, the members were having so much fun they didn’t eat until way past 8:00 p.m. and the casserole was still edible! So it made sense to stick with what works.

Now, the King’s Ranch is cooked upon request. And, just like clockwork….no sooner had I hoped to change it up a bit this year, did the Senator mention the King’s Ranch Casserole.  Hence, the King’s Ranch is back by popular demand and today will be spent in the kitchen! (And, cramming all the clutter in closets….but, don’t tell anyone I said that!)

Here is a photo of a few from last years crew….

Can’t wait to see who walks in the door tonight…..

SW

The show must go on, and it did yesterday as my great state celebrated the historic swearing-in of Oklahoma’s 27th Governor.

It was snowing and cold but those in charge of the festivities at the capitol did a marvelous job of moving the event along. It should come as no surprise that this was their fifth swearing-in ceremony, meaning they have been in charge of the logistics from constructing the podium, the sound, the security, to seating the crowd and dignitaries for the last five gubernatorial inaugurations. And, they did a fabulous job under the extreme conditions of the day.

This job didn’t come without its perks either. Here is a photo I snapped of one of the gentlemen in charge with native Oklahoman and country singer, Toby Keith.

He is a good friend of ours (not Toby Keith), but the man in charge. The Senator calls him Pickel. He owns a construction company and I’m sure Pickel was giving Toby very specific instructions before he sang a tribute to our nation’s soldiers.

And, that is another story….about how a country music star manages to play a song on his guitar in sub-zero temperatures.

It really was bone chilling outside. I mean, at that point in the program I could barely feel my feet. However, they must have kept Mr. Keith inside by the fire before his performance because he sang and played to perfection. That is just how good these guys are at running the show.

As I said before, we had front (well, actually third) row seats for the ceremony.

And, even though they were covered in snow our seats were close enough to capture some fun photos.

Like of the oil rig that sits on the south lawn of our state capitol……and those majestic columns….

…and a photo of the Senator’s office. I’m sure it was nice and warm in there.

And, the steps used for the procession back up into the rotunda.

I loved having the presence of so many service men and women who lined the path upwards. Even the ones with guns located right behind us. They made me feel safe.

After the ceremony, we got to catch up with a former governor. He and my Senator are friends and were exchanging stories about cowboy hats….

And, there were some good ones. Stories, that is.

Then, we ran into a Oklahoma Congressman who I have known since I was little.

I used to work for his dad a long time ago. They are good family friends and I am really proud of the job he is doing in Washington D.C.

As the Senator and I headed back up to his office, we happened to look out the window at the people still lined up in the cold waiting to get into the Capitol for the post inaugural reception. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. It was bitter cold, but they were witnessing a part of our state’s history and I get that.

Next up….How not to plan an Inaugural Ball!

SW

The Senator is re-locating his business office today.  He thinks it will take an hour.  I am guessing a few…even though he is only moving a mile down the road.  Like I have said before, the man has a lot of stuff. This photo was taken roughly fifteen years ago shortly after he moved into his business office. Note the lack of clutter.

Goodbye Possum Creek Place. You were a good home.

The Senator’s son has an Algebra final today.   I am not smarter than my 9th grader in this area.  Let’s just say all those formulas are Greek to me. The last time Algebra and I met was during the summer before my senior year in college.  I needed a math credit to graduate and summer school seemed like the best time to tackle this phobia one on one.  I still have a complete and total gut wrenching fear of math.  Numbers and I do not mix.  Anyone who knows me understands this.  I am not wired this way.  Good luck my son. May the force be with you today!

The Senator’s daughter continues to make her list and checks it way more than twice……that girl has a list.  A big list.

And, I am scurrying around frantically today with the understanding that the kid’s will be on Christmas vacation in roughly ….wait, I am calculating…..roughly 33 hours. Give or take a few

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Breaking News:  My Senator has been named the next Energy Chairman for the Oklahoma State Senate…a fairly big deal considering we live in Oklahoma and energy is a huge part of our economic engine.

Honestly, I think the Senator had wanted to serve in this capacity for quite some time, because as you can see in this photo from yesterday…….

He has a little hands on experience in this industry and a passion for it!  And, yes.  I knew this was happening when I posted that darling photo, I just couldn’t say anything about it.  But, I can now.  So, please indulge me while I brag on my man for a minute because I am constantly reminded of his exemplary leadership down at that marble palace. My Senator is such a team player.  A true statesman.  He has made it a priority to work hard with all sides of the political aisle to do what is right for our great state. He is not a headline grabber.  Better yet, he is not a career politician (i.e. not in this gig for personal gain), but temporarily entered public service with the sincere hopes of providing a better environment for individuals and businesses to succeed…and I love him for that!  Our children love him for that!  I hope someday Oklahoma loves him for that…

Anyway, this means that next session my Senator will be quite the busy man. Busy with energy issues, transportation (also named the Vice Chairman of Committee on Transportation Appropriations ($$$$) and has something else working in the hopper……….oh, yeah and he was elected the Majority Whip for their caucus. So, I am thinking it might be wise to book some special time for me on his calendar….like, uh, now!

SW

Yes, that is my man pictured all the way to the right of that oil rig. Literally……I had no idea this photo existed.  If I had, you would have seen it before…..

I mean, I knew the Senator used to work in the oil and gas business in his youth and I certainly knew his dad was a successful geologist. Yet,  I had no idea there was any sort of photo documentation of this time in his life and I love it! Seriously, where has he been hiding this stuff!

For those of you who don’t know, the energy industry is a hot topic in my great state and a major source of tax revenue and private sector jobs.  We have an abundance of oil and natural gas in Oklahoma and now lots of wind farms are cropping up.  There was also an attempt last year to bring nuclear power in to Oklahoma but it failed down at the marble palace.  (I don’t know about you, but the word nuclear makes me squirm!)

Anyway, in honor of the new format around here and the photo of the Senator on an oil rig…..and because I want to experiment with one of my new features, I am taking a poll!    I’m not sure how this will work, but my analytics tell me I have lots of friends out there…..so, let’s have a little discussion about our Nation’s options when it comes to energy, shall we?

Next, I plan on asking the Senator his thoughts and we’ll come back to this because I think it’s important….and, I have my reasons!

SW

P.S.  A little hint as to how I’ll be voting….  let’s just say I used to dream of driving an electric car when I was little….hmmmmm