Category Archives: The Senator’s Wife

Under Construction

Do you ever watch church t.v.?

I remember my grandmother talking to me about some of her friends who did.  She was not a fan.  Consequently, I remember thinking why in the world would anyone need to watch church on television when you can just go there?

I have grown up a lot since then.  And, so has the evolution of church t.v.

What a production.

Anyway, I referenced this for a story about the Inaugural Ball the Senator and I attended this past week.  You remember me talking about the lengthy line to retrieve ones coat and how the Senator found a friend who was already in the back of the coat room to snag ours.  Yes, he did.  And while we were waiting for our coats, we ran into several other friends including this darling couple who are pastors at a very large church in the Senator’s district.  We knew they were there because he gave the actual invocation at the event, but when there are nearly 2,000 people you really can’t predict who you will actually get to see there.

So, as it happens, the Pastor and his wife were debating and dreading having to fall back into the very, very LONG coat line. Just for good measure, let’s say the line was so long it wrapped around the corner, down a long hallway and back into the Ball…because it did.

That being said, we laughed and talked with them as it was good to catch up and I pressured the Senator to sneak back into the coat room to get their coats.  I mean they are pastors, you’d think he might get a little extra prayer plug in for the good deed, right!?

This couple actually do all sorts of wonderful things for our community.  In fact, their staff and church were a source of great comfort for me during the last campaign.  I wrote about that here.  ( and I’ll link to it if I can ever find it in my archives… promise.) They have also been out to the Capitol to see the Senator.

But, what made me think about church t.v. is because I watched him the other day.  They live stream and because I am so high-tech (loud background laughter) I sat down early in the morning and pulled him up.

It was terrific.  Never mind that I had watched a re-run on actual television only moments earlier!  But, the message is always good.  Real good.  And I took notes.

Here is what I wrote:

People under construction

Nobody’s perfect

Church is a great place to tweak your walk with God – which is a work in progress.

Be aware of people around us – be sensitive to the needs of others.

Sometimes – the bridge is out and it looks impossible to get where you need to go.  The house of God reminds you that not everything is perfect.

Genesis 28

It is more important to unlearn something old than to learn something new.

Every time you serve, worship and give it helps you break the cycle of greed

If you never get around people who are different from you – you will never grow.

Forgive for what it does to you on the inside.

Through faith and not by works….

Construction zone for all people – because we are all under construction

What belief system do you need to change so that God can be everything

When people get mean –

Philippians 1:6

God – keep doing the work in me….

Amen to that!  I am putting on my hard hat and getting to work this week!

SW

P.S.  The Senator did actually sneak back into the coat room to snatch their coats claiming it was better to ask for forgiveness than permission.  I think he was right!

Working the Crowd

The Senator and I attend the Governor’s Inaugural Ball this week.

I think this type of event makes for some great people watching….especially when everyone is seated and dinner is being served.

Typically, all of the politicians in the room tend to get up and work the tables….which at this event, meant that the entire room was working the crowd.

This always makes me smile when it happens and some politicians do it better than others… meaning they are subtle.  My Senator thinks it is rude to leave the people at any table where you are seated, and quite frankly, I agree with him.

However, this was not an issue for us at this particular Inaugural Ball. The Senator didn’t have to get up and work the room, because we ended up working it as we searched for our table. Nice, huh!  There must have been over one thousand tables, and we started searching for ours on the wrong side of the ballroom. Fun, fun.

By the time we made it to our table I was quite thankful our seats were still there, never mind the salad had already been cleared and they were serving the main course.  Who needs salad, right? Our tablemates were glad to see us and were most gracious.  We knew some and not others which always makes for interesting table talk.

And, then I began playing with the camera on my iPhone to take some photos of the outfits. Oh, the many different dresses. Mostly long and appropriate ball gowns with a sprinkling of short cocktail dresses.

Obviously, I have not figured out the camera on my new iPhone.  Be patient, my friends.  It will be a scary day when I master it!

Cute.  Let’s hope they didn’t check their coats.  That line lasted an hour…unless you were the Senator and decided to take matters into your own hands.  Don’t ask.

Special note to Ball planners:  when over 1,800 people are going to attend an event and it is 10 degrees outside, plan for them, their cars and their coats.  That’s all.

Moments

Monday was a big day in my great state and I am still recovering from all of the inaugural events and activities. You know me, I am secretly a closet recluse and would have been especially content watching all of the festivities at home on television in my lululemons.

Never mind the bitter cold and wet snow, this would be the last time that I would have a front (third) row seat to watch a person being sworn in as governor, or get to walk down the hard, stone steps of the Capitol for a Gubernatorial Inauguration, or attend a Gubernatorial Ball as (with) a V.I.P…..so, I ended up taking (was forced by the Senator to take) advantage of this prime opportunity.

In the process, there were some fun moments… like gathering in the Senate chamber prior to the ceremony.

Judging by his smile, the Senator knew I was soaking in the moment, because the Senate chamber is typically off-limits unless you are a member or there for a specific purpose.

I also got to see so many of the wives that I just adore and only run into on occasions such as this.  I love these women. We have a bond.  Especially when you are standing in line together on marble stairs waiting to walk outside into sub-zero temperatures.

While we were waiting around, I took a photo of the American flag which had been lowered out of respect for the recent tragedy in Arizona.


Seeing the flag lowered and remembering the events of that day caused me to stop and think about this particular ceremony in a somber way.

Here we were, getting ready to walk out onto a public platform to officially swear in the new leadership of our state.  Couldn’t some crazy person just as easily be out there in the crowd about to commit the same crime against humanity?

I also realized, possibly at that very moment, that the Senator and I were both in attendance and if something horrific like that were to occur, it was also possible that our children could be orphaned. I did not enjoy these thoughts, but to have ignored them would have been prudent and dishonest.

So, I focused on the massive amount of security, the bomb sniffing dogs, the servicemen and women right behind me with weapons and what I would do if something like that did happen.  I am always looking for the best possible escape route!   Did I mention the massive amount of security?

Suddenly I became very fond of my third row seat, all nice and snug and crammed in amongst several hundred dignitaries. Well, that and the servicemen and women behind me with guns.

We were fortunate to have the opportunity to meet one of the service women from the Oklahoma Air National Guard while we were waiting inside. She had served a tour in Afghanistan and came to the Capitol with a bracelet she had purchased at a market there.  She wanted to give it to the Senate Pro Temp’s wife for one of her grandchildren.

Now, the Senate Pro Temp’s wife Paula, is a wonderful lady and a friend of mine. We have gotten to know each other as our paths have crossed at these type events and venues. The Senate is one big, happy family like that and as I have mentioned before, Senator’s wives have a special bond.  So, when the Guardsman (woman) offered Paula the bracelet, she walked her over to me suggesting that her grandchildren would probably fight over it, but our daughter might love it.

Paula has met the Senator’s daughter before. And, while she probably doesn’t remember seeing the numerous layers of bracelets that constantly adorn her arms, I assured her she was correct in her thinking. What a special moment.

So, I took a photo… which is not necessarily like me.

And, then it was time to move it on outside……Brrrrrr.

Good thing I had my gloves with me…..even if they were from different sets and for the same hand.

And I really wanted to give them to my new friend in the Guard because she stood outside in full dress uniform, as they all did, for over an hour and a half without a coat or gloves.

Now, that was heroic and did not go unnoticed.

Counting my blessings and downloading photos from the Inaugural Ball. Lots of pictures of dresses………..

SW