Archive for November, 2009

Yesterday was so much fun! I am one of the South Carolina State Coordinators for Team Huck, Governor Mike Huckabee’s Political Action Committee. The Governor is on a bus (the Huckabus!) book tour for his new book, A Simple Christmas. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you should. It will make a great Christmas gift!

Yesterday he was in Atlanta at Borders Books in Buckhead. Not only was he doing a book signing there, he was also taping today’s Huckabee show, and guess what? I was invited! My husband even got to tag along! We met our other two SC State Coordinators there, DeLinda Ridings and Steven Shumpert. The show was taped in the Borders and besides being 200 degrees in there, it was a hoot! I’ve never been to a “real” taping of a show and it was really interesting to see how it all comes together. My husband wouldn’t let me run out and buy a last-minute gorgeous outfit, but I’m happy with the cute black jacket with leather trim I pulled out of my closet. I wish I hadn’t worn a pony tail though but my curly hair was not being cooperative and we were running late!

Paula Deen was a guest on the show so that was a double dose of happiness for me! She’s as funny in person as she is on TV and man… does that lady have some white teeth! They practically blinded me. As did her very big, very sparkly, very lovely diamond ring. Whew!

After the show taping, we went upstairs for the book signing. The three of us chatted with David Huckabee, the Governor’s son and mini-me, while the Governor finished up signing books. My precious husband was busy snapping pictures!

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Then it was the moment I had been waiting for… one-on-one time with my hero! Governor Huckabee is as humble, nice, sweet and smart as I had hoped he would be. We chatted about South Carolina, the political races here and some future plans he has for the Palmetto State. Shhhh…. it’s a secret. You’ll just have to stay tuned.

He was very gracious with his time, especially considering he still had another bus stop that night and he was already late.

It was a long day of driving and sitting, but it was worth every minute! If you see the show (airing tonight), my husband and I are on there a lot. My son said he thought I’d be more famous than I actually was (apparently he had it in his mind that I was actually going to be interviewed) but my daughter said I was more famous than she thought. It’s a tough crowd in my house!

Thanks, Governor Huckabee, for the invitation and a wonderful day!

People in the South rarely say the words “Civil War”. I didn’t realize that until I moved to the South. Mention the Civil War to a Southerner and you will not get a polite reply. Belles can cover up their feelings most of the time with a smile and a “Bless your heart!”, but when the subject of the War comes up, it’s tough even for the most experienced Belle.

The Civil War is still a sore subject in the South. You will find it called many different things, but never the Civil War. As one Belle put it, “There was nothing civil about it. We didn’t know those people.” And that’s saying a lot coming from a Belle because civility is a way of life. My husband, a South Carolina boy born and bred, refers to it as The War of Northern Aggression. It is also called The War Between the States and The Late Unpleasantness (I particularly like that one). Whatever it’s called, the war is still serious business in the South. I lived in Atlanta for several years, and they still take The War of Northern Aggression very hard. Maybe it’s because most of their buildings and homes were burned down. Dang Sherman. Of course if that hadn’t happened, we wouldn’t have one of the best scenes in Gone With the Wind. I’m just saying….

Most people I know from the North never think about the War. That is definitely not the case in the South. They still hold a grudge. I think that’s why so many people will say, once they hear any sort of Yankeeness in your accent, “You’re not from around here, are you?” Or one of my very favorites, “Who are your people, dear?” Southerners care deeply about the War and also about your family tree. And if your family tree branches up north of the Mason-Dixon line, uh oh.

I love this quote from a true Belle: “I never heard about anything called the Civil War until I went to Maine one summer with my mother. In Alabama, my family and my teachers always called it the War Between the States. And that was only when they were being polite.”

Recently I found this beautiful and inspiring blog through a friend. It is called A Holy Experience. The author is not only thoughtful and faithful, but she is a lovely photographer. Part of her blog is focused on giving thanks and gratitude to our Lord for all his many blessings. It’s something we should make a part of our lives but generally fail to (or at least I do most days but I’m getting better!).

Today is Multitude Monday and here is what I’m thankful for this day:

1. Being able to spend real time with my children without distractions.

6. The Christian music station I found a few months ago. It has made a big impact on my life.

The goal is to get to 1000. Shouldn’t be too hard. What are you thankful for today? God loves to hear our praises for all things, big and little. Give him a shout out or two today!

If you’d like to visit this wonderful blog, go to A Holy Experience.com. It will be well worth your time!