Category Archives: The Senator’s Wife

Addendum to the Addendum

I made an error in judgement yesterday.

The Senator was working from home because the Legislature had adjourned for the weekend. Naturally, I took full advantage of the opportunity for a substantive conversation with him…We were chatting in the kitchen, well, he was fielding angry calls from trial lawyers and puppy mill breeders. I was skimming through a pile of mail and newspapers that had amassed on the counter when I casually mentioned I had written about his legislative correspondence.

Big mistake.

We had had a previous chat about the topic and I listened intently to what he had to say. I even took notes. I felt like I really knew what he was talking about.

Not so fast. He didn’t agree with my addendum about spelling. Ouch! The man is entitled to his opinions and he sure has lot of them.

The Senator proceeded to inform me that spelling really doesn’t matter.

“Excuse me”, I said, “but it does”.

“No, it really doesn’t,” he replied.

“Are you kidding me?” I must have looked confused.

“What world are you living in Senator?” I asked. “Please tell me you haven’t let our children in on this secret?”

Spelling always counts.

The Senator explained that even though someone might not be able to spell, they are still his constituent and he is interested in what they are saying.

“Seriously… Senator? Because, if I were reading a letter that butchered the English language, or mildly created a new one, I’m not sure I could lend it much credence. I’m just saying….”

He sat there quietly and smiled. Which is code for ‘you’re not going to change my opinion‘.

Then, he asked if I wanted to go to lunch.

We spent the rest of the afternoon talking about the kids and family stuff. And just so you know, we hardly ever have time to talk about these things when the Legislature is in session.

Then, he offered to buy a new set of tires for my car.

Then, he wished me Happy Mother’s Day. “Because,” he added, “every day is Mother’s Day around here.”

True.

But, spelling still counts Senator! Trust me. It does.

Love, your wife

P.S. Does anyone have an opinion about the spelling thing? Just curious.

When in doubt…

…roll out the King’s Ranch Casserole!

Last month the Senator invited several of his colleagues over for dinner at our house after session. Many of them live a great distance from the Capitol and are unable to travel home every evening. Thus, the Senator thought our kitchen could provide them with good food and fellowship.

He was right. These gentlemen arrived in full force and could not have been more appreciative or kind. They even complimented the dinner, which was ready for consumption long before there was a pause in the numerous conversations taking place.

King’s Ranch casserole topped the menu only because I have a fool proof recipe. And, it demonstrated its ‘fool proofness’ that evening. In fact, one of the members claimed to want a copy of the recipe. We like him.

So, here ya go Senator:

King’s Ranch Casserole

1-2 bags of corn tortilla chips

10 cooked and shredded chicken tenders

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can of chicken broth

1/2 cup of chopped onions

1/4 cup chopped green peppers

1 can of Rotel tomatoes with green peppers

Grated cheddar cheese.

Saute in little oil the tortilla chips. Sometimes I do this and sometimes I don’t. It is messy and time consuming and I have never been able to taste the difference! Saute in little oil onions and green peppers. Lay chips on bottom of a greased 9×13 baking dish-1 layer. Top with cooked shredded chicken. Top with blended mixture= 1 can of cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, sauteed onions and green peppers and the Rotel tomatoes. Top with another layer of tortilla chips, then grated cheese.

Once that is completed, bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees.

But if you are like my Senator, it will need to bake a little longer. He seems to like his King’s casserole a tad over cooked.

He also says it tastes better the next day.

Love, the Senator’s Wife

Lala

Today, the Senator’s mother is celebrating her 83rd birthday! We call her Lala because it’s obvious Granny is not her style. Pictured above is a photo of Lala and the Senator’s dad in Havana, Cuba circa 1955. Lala got around. In fact, Lala still likes to travel whenever she gets the chance. She also likes to shop. Currently, her two local favorites to frequent are Jeromes and the Dollar Tree, but this has been known to fluctuate depending on the merchandise.

Lala calls herself ‘my darling mother-in-law’. This is not only true, but sounds even better when she refers to me as her ‘darling daughter-in-law! Lala has a great sense of humor. We also always joke about the Senator. If he forgets to return her call, then the Senator is ‘my husband’. If the Senator gets a law passed or sends her flowers on her birthday, then he is ‘her son’. We like to trade him back and forth like that and it works for me.

Speaking of flowers, I hope the Senator sent her some. Lala loves fresh flowers. When I was in the hospital giving birth to the Senator’s son, she swiped the gladiolas out of a vase from the restaurant across the street because she thought my hospital room needed a little sprucing up.

She is my darling mother-in-law and I adore her for so many reasons. Here are my top five:

1. She loves to decorate for the holidays, and I’m not just talking Christmas, but Valentines, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter….

2. She has saved all of the Senator’s childhood toys which includes everything from his building blocks and hot wheels to GI Joe’s and toy guns. He had some great toys.

3. She has us over for dinner every Sunday night which is one less meal I have to prepare.

4. She took me to Hong Kong and Bali. I mean, seriously, whose mother-in-law would do that!

5. She cooked me fish for dinner once and I cleaned my plate. This might not sound like a big deal unless you know that the sight and smell of anything fishy makes my skin crawl.

Aside from being the best mother-in-law any girl could dream up, she loves my Senator, and all of us for that matter, unconditionally. Thus she is not for sale or on loan under any circumstances. I know a good thing when I have it!