Why should anyone read this?

I've been thinking about creating a blog for ages. Everytime I thought about it, though, I concluded that it would be terribly self-indulgent. Who cares about what I think? Is what I have to say any more important than what anybody else says? But, the writer part of me is compelled to join in. So, here I am.
As I write this first entry, I'm sitting up in bed. Bandit, my snowshoe manx kitty is lying on my left side. The Boxer/Shepard mix, Kate, that we rescued from the pound is lying crosswise between Jeff and I. The newest addition, Hank, a beautiful black Lab who joined us just two days ago, is across the foot of the bed. A Golden Girl's re-run is on the T.V. There is the possibility of snow tonight but I really don't mind since I won't have to drive in it tomorrow.
Two things are uppermost in my mind just now. I'm very concerned about the direction our country is taking under the leadership of Obama/Reid and Pelosi. I've never been very political but those people have awakened this former member of the silent majority. I've been writing letters and sending e-mails and faxes to congress for months. And I have now chosen a candidate running for Senate to support. Sue Lowden can beat Harry Reid and I believe it is of paramount importance to our country for Harry Reid to be defeated. I've been volunteering now for a couple of weeks, going into campaign headquarters to make phone calls. I very much enjoy feeling a part of this. The election is 10 months away, so it should be a fascinating experience.
The other subject is a book that I have been wanting to start for several years. My heart goes out to all of the throwaway kids I see these days. A few years ago we adopted life styles that left no one to raise our children and that resulted in those sad kids. I really need to set aside the time to get the thoughts organized and into a book.
So, on top of those time consuming activities, my day job, walking, going to see the granddaughters, maintaining a marriage, gardening, quilting, crocheting... I've now added this blog. I must be nuts.

How I'm Helping to Dump Harry Reid

And, so my volunteer saga begins...
On Sunday, January 16th, I got a phone call from Patrick Murphy. He said he was with the Sue Lowden for U.S. Senate Campaign. I'd been waiting for this call for a couple of months. Dirty Harry, as so many refer to Nevada Senator, Harry Reid, was actually in Reno for a fund raiser at the Grand Sierra Resort - something like $3000 for a plate of breakfast - so Sue Lowden, candidate for Harry's Senate seat, chose to camp out in the parking lot and distribute free donuts to those who stopped by with some food for our local food bank. I decided that day that she would be the candidate to support so gave her one of my business cards, saying I would be happy to do whatever I could to help get Sue elected. Patrick called!
Patrick invited me to the grand opening of campaign headquarters on the 23rd. Too bad for me, I was already scheduled to fly to Boise for the weekend to see my granddaughters. But, I promised to stop by a couple of nights after work to do what I could to help.
I barely walked in the door, met Patrick and Kristen and found myself on the phone, calling people in Laughlin, Nevada. Sue was on a 'bus tour' through the state and was going to be there the next day. I was surprised how fast an hour and a half flew by. I talked with some happy people, some not-so-happy people, some who already knew about the event and some who were really happy to get the information. I talked to a woman who'd fallen down the previous day and broken her hip. I visited with one man about how important he felt it was for Obama to be relieved of his job. There have been just a few times that I enjoyed being on the phone as much as I did that night - conversations with my husband when we first met, talking with my grand-kids when they first learned to talk, calling my best friend when I gave birth to my kids... well, that might be an exaggeration, but I truly did have a great time.
I went back again two nights later and called folks in Hawthorne, as Sue was on her way north. Patrick and I got to know each other better. We laughed a lot and compared notes. It felt good, again.
And, so after another hour and a half of phone calling, I left satisfied, again. I drove home in a snow storm, really glad that I chose to do this. Wow... I might be helping to change the United States Senate!

Why I missed the Grand Opening

                                               

My daughter, Christy Coburn Stansell, lives outside Boise, Idaho with my son-in-law Tyler, my eight-year-old granddaughter, Tylar, and Rylee, my two-year-old granddaughter. We try to see each other once a month, here, there or meeting in Winnemucca. We've done this since she moved to Idaho. I had my Southwest flight reservations months ago. As much as I would have loved to attend the opening of Sue Lowden's headquarters, Tylar and Rylee are the biggest reason I'm so committed to the campaign. My time with them is very important to me.

You can see why... They're special girls who love to play made-up carnival games. Roller coaster is about to get underway here.

Tylar with the ROLY-POLY rings and ready to roll on the floor.

Rylee using Mom's shoes to WHEE around the house!

While I regret that we live so far apart, I'm grateful that Southwest has such reasonable fares so we can fly as often as we do and that Winnemucca is where it is. I'm also really glad to be able to get on that plane on Sunday night and get some rest. They can really wear me out!

And, this is why I missed the opening.