HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday to my sister Marie (she's the one on the right)! She is the big 3-0 today. Which only depresses me because it means I only have 2 more years until I'm that age.

I have a confession to make. I know that the recent developments with our country's economy are a very important issue. I know I should be spending my days reading every article that comes across my computer concerning it because in a round about way it will effect me...but I haven't been. I have to be honest it just depresses me and angers me that we have reached this point. Why do my husband and I have to live by different rules than everyone else? I would love to stop paying my mortgage and let the government come in and bail me out letting me pay them back when "things get better". I'm proud of our congressmen and women who stood up and said no yesterday to the bailout agreement.

If you would like to hear Mary Fallin's response to her vote you can here.

President Bush visits Oklahoma

Unless you were living under a rock the past two days then you know that President Bush visited Oklahoma City on Friday. Above is a picture of my mother-in-law getting to meet him. Soon I will have a pic of my encounter with him at the GOP fundraiser. It was awesome!

Where were you?

Just like the generation before us will always remember where they were when Kennedy was shot, I am convinced that my generation will grow up to tell their children where they were on September 11, 2001.

For me I was in my junior year of college living in a small apartment off campus with my best friend Jenica. I was getting ready for my morning class and listening to a local radio station when they began reporting that an airplane had hit one of the World Trade towers in New York City. Not immediately realizing the seriousness of what was happening they began making jokes about drunken pilots or inexperienced flyers. I then moved into my living room to sit on the couch and eat my morning cereal while I watched Fox News. They were covering the plane wreck and showing live shots of the World Trade towers when suddenly another plan came out of nowhere and crashed into the second tower. I screamed, and then just sat there in shock. Several times I had to remind myself that I was not watching a movie or a television show. This was happening in real life and in my country.

Six months later I traveled to New York City with three friends from UCO to spend our spring break talking with students from Pace University and helping at the World Trade Center Relief Shelter. Little did I know that these 5 days would change my outlook on life and volunteerism forever. It would also make me proud to be an American (but not for the first time ;) ).

The first place they took us was ground zero. This experience brought out mixed emotions. I wasn’t able to fully experience it the way a normal visitor would because they had set up interviews with several newspapers and we literally had cameras flashing in our face the entire time. (I hated it. Now I know why famous people freak out on the paparazzi)

We started the week with a conference on terrorism and round table discussion on how these horrible acts can affect a community and generation. While I believe that this time was well spent I have to say that I was a little restless. Those of you who know me know that I hate talking and I want to DO. I was ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

Finally I got my wish when we were taken to the relief shelter to work with the rescue workers and construction crew. Remember that this was 6 months after the tragedy and they were still searching for victims. In fact, we had an up close tour of ground zero scheduled but they had to cancel it because 13 bodies were found the day we were supposed to go.

I don’t know how to put in words the thoughts and feelings that were going through my head while we were at the shelter. Here we were in an old fire station that was stuffed from floor to ceiling with everything you could possible imagine an emergency worker would need. Our job while there was to help take inventory and fill the needs of the workers that would come in. We would give them clean dry socks; new boots; coveralls; gloves; cigarettes (yes I’m serious); shovels; and, my least favorite, body bags. We also served as confidants. They would come in from 12 hour shifts working at ground zero and just want someone to talk to. These were mostly young men in their early 20s who had to work in cold, rainy conditions and see things that no one should have to experience. Some had lost friends and relatives in the tragedy, others just wanted to help because they felt it was their duty as a New Yorker.

One thing that I will never forget from this experience is the vast amount of respect everyone in the city gave to the victims, their families, and the emergency workers. The shelter we worked in also served as a make shift memorial to firefighters who lost their lives. The gentleman who “ran” it was a former captain who, at the time, was serving as the head of the Hammer Team. This was the group of firemen who were first on scene whenever there was an anthrax threat. Whenever a family member of a victim would come in the place would go silent out of respect. No one talked, radios were turned off, and everyone rushed to do whatever they could to make them feel comfortable. Another ‘tradition’ was at ground zero, there was a long ramp that went into the pit and when someone’s remain were found all construction workers and firemen would stop what they were doing. An ambulance that was always placed at the top of the ramp would turn its lights on and everyone would stay that way until the remains were removed. I witnessed this once while there and it was an eerie yet proud moment.

If something like September 11th ever happened in our country again I would not hesitate to drop everything and go to help out. As Americans it’s our duty to help each other out no matter that person's race, religion, or personal beliefs. I consider that a privilege of living in the greatest country in the world.

This is Anthony Reinhart. A student from Pace University
who served as our tour guide for the week.
I feel honored to have spent that time with him.
He is a bright young man who is going to do BIG things.

In this picture is Hilary Fite, Laura Beth Wren,
a younger skinnier Marilyn, Kate Thrift (Lindley),
and the guy who headed up the Hammer Team (I wish I remembered his name)
at the relief shelter.

The Palin Factor

We are truly living in exciting times. This November we will be given the chance to witness history. For the first time as a nation we will either have a black president or a female vice-president. Several times over the past week I've ask individuals in their 70s and 80s if they ever thought either of these days would come. Most responded with, "Not in my lifetime!"

While the nomination of Governor Palin has brought 'controversy' and excitement, it has also started several needed dialogues about women and their role in both politics and the household. While I am not a mother, yet, I am still concerned with issues like balancing career and home. I know that one day I will be faced with the decision of whether I should stay at home with my children or trust them with a caregiver.

One thing that has angered me about this new debate is the fact that we are told as little girls that "You can do anything you put your mind to!", except have a career AND kids. Then people start to treat us like we are evil and committing some sin against the motherhood gods. Why can't a women have her cake and eat it too? Why do people automatically assume that once a child is born to a couple that the women has to be the one to sacrifice her career?

I can't speak from experience but I hope, when the time comes for me, raising our children will become a partnership between my husband and I. I also want to say that I in no way look down on women who give up their careers for children. In fact, I admire them greatly. Giving up a job and staying home to raise children takes a lot of courage and sacrifice.

As far as women taking on leadership roles, I say more power to them. We need a female voice in politics fighting for issues that effect children, families, and women. If you are thinking of running for office....DO IT! Dont let anyone tell you that being a women will hold you back or effect your ability to serve. If you aren't ready to strap on your walking shoes and start campaigning for office the least you can do it VOTE. VOTE EARLY AND VOTE OFTEN!!!