We will start with how I blog. I apologize.
Since I was able to post several days in a row, and I know how I can't stay on a train of thought, I had several questions in all your fabulous comments! I thought I would just do a post for everyone.My favorite is "How do you do it all?"
The answer is I don't. My house is a mess, I am just as far behind on cleaning and laundry as I was when I had five children at home and worked full-time. In those days when I was much much younger, I would stay up all night on Thursday to catch up. I can't do that anymore. On my list of importance, experiences rank higher than cleaning. I wish I had a little tiny cleaning gene, though.
The outlet mall with the great Mexican Restaurant out front was the Aurora Farms Premium Outlets in Ohio. It was mostly high-end stores and lots of athletic shoe stores. I still say I am going back just for the seafood burrito and another margarita flight.
We had lots of cookies, shredded chicken, deviled eggs, pasta salads, a ramen noodle casserole, donuts, muffins and two crock pots of sloppy joe at the poll workers potluck table. We had enough food we could have fed all the voters, too. There was a big tiff about two people bringing sloppy joe with lots of complaining about the organization. Because we act like preschoolers. I tried to calm the waters by saying people could try one for lunch and one for supper, but that didn't fly. The grumpiest person took all our names and phone numbers and SHE is going to organize it next time.
The local candidate I supported lost by 2 votes. However we have 18 of what we call "provisional votes" in my state. These are not counted until the election board reviews them. It could be someone's address didn't match their voter record, or someone's photo id had expired and they had 5 days to come in with an updated id or their mail in vote came in after the election but within the five day grace period. Their ballot goes in an individual sealed envelope and is evaluated in a board meeting of both parties. I know there are other reasons people must vote provisional, too, but that is not my table. So I still have my fingers crossed she might win.
In support of provisional votes, I (of course) have a story. During desert storm years we had some members of the reserves who voted absentee. Which was fine. Then when they came back, they had been stricken off the voter rolls by some typo or error. They had to vote provisional and, of course, their votes were counted. I am all for benefit of the doubt with review. Errors can happen.
Yes, I did break my nose the last time I was a poll worker. It wasn't in a fight, lol. I was helping to set up the room and thought I could roll an eight foot round table by myself. And then when it slipped, I thought I could fly and catch it. I do not assist in the setup anymore.
A family in my town hosted a turkey donation for the local food bank in a parking lot of an abandoned store. They collected over 200 turkeys for families that use our food bank. There was a second collection of items suggested by the food bank on a second date. I am privileged to live a very giving community. Most of the donors were struggling families themselves.
I hope you noticed how many opportunities there were in the building for Reiki. I don't have a clue what this is even though my husband has a sister in-law and niece who are certified for Reiki.
Hastings Michigan. My grandmother was born in that area. Someday when I get a chance I will research that area more. I see lots of travel news in our local paper in the 1910-1930 range where my mother's family went back and forth to Hastings to visit. I am guessing extended family lived there. My great grandmother must have met my great grandfather on one of those trips and moved there. My grandmother was orphaned at 12 and would never talk about her family except to point out houses that belonged to family members when we took her for rides.
