I Believe in America, too.

The sign is back out in the planter along the street for the neighborhood to see.  It's been in the garage since the end of the primaries.  Now that Mitt is officially the Republican candidate and there are only 67 days left until the 2012 presidential election, Glen decided it was time for it to reappear.

Did you watch the Republican Convention?  I asked Glen if he watched political conventions when he was a kid.  He looked at me like I was crazy.  Why would you watch conventions when you could be at the beach or out playing baseball?  I have watched many conventions.  I've felt drawn to them since the early 1960's when my age had finally reached the double digits.  I don't know if it coincides with finally having a TV in our home, but TV definitely facilitated my being able to listen and watch.  I remember famous addresses from Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater, fighting in the streets in Chicago, Nixon's daughters, Johnson's daughters, the crazy hats, and confetti and balloons. 

I watched almost every minute of the RNC convention this week and I took it straight up.  Translation:  I watched C-Span.  I wanted to watch the convention, not all of the talking heads trying to get their own air time.  I really can think and react for myself, thank you very much!  I found it fascinating as I watched a Mormon become the official candidate for president of the United States.  I wasn't expecting all the programing directly before the convention trying to explain my religion.  It made me wonder about the accuracy of journalistic stories in general as there were so many inaccuracies presented in network stories.  Go here to see official LDS Church statements regarding such inaccuracies.

Here are my thoughts and feelings the day after:

*  When a Mormon stake president from Boston offered the opening prayer I felt like I was listening to General Conference.  It was so comforting.  Isn't it interesting how our religious life has its own rhythms and cadence?

*  Did you notice Ann's eyes darting here and there when all the grand kids came out on stage?   That's exactly what happens to me when with the grand kids somewhere and you want them to be safe and well behaved.

*  Tears and more tears.  Such touching personal stories which needed to be shared so that we know more about the candidate as a man not just a candidate for president.

*  Moments spent getting oneself back in control.  In an interview this morning, Ann stated that her youngest son explained his moment saying that he suddenly felt his grandfather George Romney with him.  Where else would George's spirit be on such an occasion as this?

Yes, I listened to the speeches and heard the political rhetoric but for me it is usually more about the feelings.  I wish that the next 67 days would be more "Mormon Ad" in tone than muckraking and demonizing.  Wouldn't that be nice?

A place for debates and entertainment

While Mitt was securing his 29 delegates in Arizona last night, I was seated in the same place where he debated a week ago. I may not have been able to secure a seat the night of the CNN sponsored debate when all the GOP Primary candidates were in town, but I sure enjoyed last night's show.

Nate and Nichelle thoughtfully gifted Glen and I with tickets to a BYU Alumni sponsored Vocal Point show for Christmas. They knew of our consistent weekly attention to the TV reality show, The Sing Off, and of our great enthusiasm for Vocal Point, one of BYU's performing groups.

Our two months of anticipation were finally over. Vocal Point had come to town! Every seat was full, from a babe in arms to some even older than we two plus my sister and her daughter (who we didn't even know were attending.) It was a great audience, many BYU alums, but the nine young men on stage were incredible. It was just their microphones, a prop or two, and their voices providing all that sound. WOW!

Jump, Jive an' Wail - BYU Vocal Point

Why, oh, why was the library so quiet in my BYU days?

Romney endorsement

This morning the Arizona Republic formally endorsed Mitt Romney as the Republican presidential candidate. Read more here.

The Republic's reasons for doing so pretty much mirror my own. There are more yard signs out in my garage. Come and get them!

Debating in my home town

I was first made aware of the book, "The Real Romney" while listening to this interview on NPR. I knew that hubby, who has been following the Republican Primary race and donating to Romney's cause, would probably enjoy reading it so I left the book on his pillow with an old fashioned valentine card on the day of love. Guess who has been reading it?

I have found it fascinating from Romney's Mormon ancestors' stories, which are much like my own, to his desire to give public service after making millions in the business world. Glen and I followed the Republican Primary race in 2008 as well. It was such a novelty to watch Romney navigate the race as a Mormon and to realize my naivete as a Mormon who has always lived in the West. I hadn't pondered much on how the rest of the country perceived those of my faith.

Now four years later, the United States will tune into the beautiful Mesa Fine Arts Center in downtown Mesa, a town founded by Mormon pioneers in 1878. Is Romney's Mormon faith still an issue? I feel it is but I don't think people are as likely to voice it or talk about it this time around. This Primary race has been a rollercoaster ride. Who knew that Mesa's debate would become such an important part of the ride? So we will be tuning in to CNN at 6:00 PM tomorrow night, but we won't be attending the after party. (Yes - we did receive an invitation :)

Romney's true wealth

In this morning's paper I read an article stating that if Romney does indeed win the presidency, he will be among the wealthiest ever elected president. As I pondered on that, I decided to share the above picture with you. I am sure that Mitt Romney would agree that his true wealth and treasure would be his grandchildren. I was delighted to see his oldest granddaughter standing next to him as he addressed the public last Saturday at the conclusion of the South Carolina primary election.

I have learned that one of life's greatest rewards are the grandchildren that come later in life. As I visit with my age related friends, I find that they agree with me. They, too, find that one of the great joys of life comes from grandparenting. If I had the opportunity to ask, I think that Mitt and Ann Romney would also be on board.

I recently read of a released study by BYU that was not only thought provoking but also reaffirming. Grand parents can and do make a difference according to the years long study. I know that my grandchildren are my joy and my treasure. I enjoy being with them, encouraging them, loving them, and being entertained by them. I am a blessed and happy grandma!

*We received a Christmas card from Mitt with the above picture. What a great reward for sending his campaign a bit of money.

So long Mitt

It's over. It's really over. Today Glen spent quite some time removing the Mitt Romney sign from the back of my car. First, he blasted it with the hair dryer. Not much success. Slowly he scraped and peeled it away. I finally, after stating that it was his problem 'cause I didn't put it on, offered him a rag and some rubbing alcohol. That finally did the trick and helped to dissolve the adhesive. I managed to catch some of the action with my camera at the end.
He then moved on to his car. The hair dryer worked like a charm. I guess the bumper sticker on his chrome bumper was plastic based. It peeled off in one easy piece. We are now Mitt free.

Tidbits from my week

I have finally finished and delivered the 1200 invitations for our stake enrichment meeting on March 1st, so time to share a few tidbits from the week. As you can see, Ryan and Emilia have added to their family. I didn't know this, but apparently something that they have in common is a love for "jeeps." Emilia finally received her "right to work" card a couple of weeks ago, then promptly went out and found two part-time jobs as an assistant to two different physical therapists. I'm sure that they were thrilled to get a trained physical therapist for the price of an assistant. She is just happy to have some work in her field. She now works somewhere everyday of the week, thus the need for a second car, and the finding of a very well priced Jeep Wagoneer fulfilled their "jeep" dream. Congratulations to Emilia for finally getting her card!

This is the oh, so hopeful Mitt yard sign before Super Tuesday. Just look at those sprightly, hopeful Icelandic poppies.

I just added a yellow ribbon a few minutes ago now that Mitt has dropped out from the race. It has been quite a ride and so interesting to watch as it all played out. We wish Mitt and his family the best, and I guess the yellow ribbon demonstrates hope for the future. McCain did not win everywhere in Arizona. The 6th Congressional District, where I live, gave more votes to Mitt.

Any suggestions for the best way to remove a bumper sticker placed on the center back of your car by your husband - right on the paint job. Keep in mind, it's been there for a year including six months of Arizona heat!

Velvet Mitt

I couldn't resist adding this picture from Tara's (on the right) blog. Her friend on the left received this velvet painting of Mitt from her husband for Christmas. Check out her web site at:

http://www.velvetmitt.com

There has been a bit of a buzz at our house since Mitt announced his run for the presidency. My husband was quick to send money, bumper stickers came in the mail, picture postcards and Christmas cards followed, and we've been following a presidential campaign more closely than ever before. I've been sporting a Mitt Romney bumper sticker dead center on the back of my bright red car since my husband placed it there months ago. He's even started to donate money in my name. So we were pretty pleased with the MSNBC debate last night. We thought that he presented himself well and we were pleased that the Republicans were nice to one another unlike the Democrat debacle earlier in the week.


My mom was equally excited about presidential politics in the 60's when Mitt's father, George Romney ran. I remember well her disappointment when he dropped out of the race after the New Hamshire Primary and the entrance of Nelson Rockefeller into the race.

BUT the best reason to vote for Mitt Romney . . . . . he and Janae share the same birthday!