Author Archives: The Senator's Wife

About The Senator's Wife

I started this blog on a whim thinking it would be fun to write about politics while my husband served in the OK State Senate. The jury's still out on that, but having a front row seat on the sideline of Oklahoma politics has been one big adventure.

Bringing It Up To Speed

So much has happened since my last post…back in, uh…. February. Not in any particular order….

1. There is a new driver in our family. I can not describe the plethora of emotions I am feeling right now. I would love to hear the thoughts of all you parents out there who have experienced this life changing event. Oh my!

2. It’s an election year and I am consumed with the local and national political dialogues taking place. I am thinking it might be time for an intervention soon…

3. Finished my first year as President of this national non-profit which culminated in a fabulous event in Washington DC. I have one more year left to serve this organization and it consumes most of my free time and more space in my brain than I have to give. But, I am so passionate about honoring and recognizing moms that I think it is worth it!

4. Speaking of moms… I officially became a ‘dance mom’ recently. Don’t ask.

5. Continue to be engaged in the Presidential election process. See #2.

6. Went to our favorite beach for a family vacation. I am ready to sell the house and re-locate immediately. This place brings me peace.

7. My Senator’s 10th Legislative Session came and went which is probably why I am ready to re-locate to my happy place. See # 6.

8. Took the kids to camp. They love camp and I love it that they love it and that we can provide them with this opportunity! It goes without saying that the Senator and I enjoy camp too….but not for the same reasons!

9. Last minute birthday trip to Canada with my Senator, our good friends and some new friends. I feel so fortunate to have some wonderful friends. One of my favorite quotes of all time is from Maya Angelou, where she says something like ‘people won’t remember what you wore or what you said, but they will remember how they felt when they were with you.’ I LOVE being around these people for that very reason.

10. Speaking of special people….we spent some fun time with dear family friends over spring break. These little adventures have pretty much become a tradition of ours and once again, I feel so fortunate.

I found a bucket list the other day that my son had written up for a leadership class this past year. I have never written up a “bucket list” before, but reading his inspired me to do the same. We posted them up on our back door recently and they seem to remind us daily of what is important in life. Keeping up a blog did not make my top ten…..but living in the moment did. Maybe the two are related….or, maybe not.

Speaker’s Ball

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

Dragons, Dresses and Disney World

It has been a busy month around here.

I just returned from Las Vegas and a board meeting for this organization. It was a very productive meeting and lots of fun hanging out with some of my all-time favorite people. I get to see these ladies roughly three times a year, but consider them some of my very dearest friends even though we all live hundreds of miles apart. They are such accomplished women in their respective fields and amazing moms who inspire me on a daily basis.

The Senator came along too and bought us a few great dinners.

He’s a keeper.

And, before my meetings even started, the Senator planned a nice, romantic evening at a fantastic steak house followed by a front row table to watch the fountains at the Bellagio…a popular attraction in the city of lights.

I think I took a million photos that evening and sent them to everyone in my contact list. Sorry about that people!

Vegas is definitely Disney World for adults.

And, just for the record, it is also the Year of the Dragon. This is a H-U-G-E celebratory event in Las Vegas. Every hotel, restaurant, casino lobby etc. was tricked out in Chinese red combined with dragon paraphernalia.

These are just a sampling….

Oh wait…now I have moved into window shopping and the gorgeous dresses….

Which were truly amazing…

And, rather timely for me seeing that the Speaker’s Ball is tonight and if you have read any of my previous posts on that, you know I struggle with the outfit.

Hmmm…

However, this year it specifies cocktail attire on the invitation which means short NOT long so I am done here. Thank you people for making this easy on me!

I promise to share some photos of the attire, it is always a treat.

Check back with me for more on the actual event, who was there, what the buzz is on the upcoming session and, of course what people were wearing. SW