Can you say frazzled? I really wish I had a brush and some lipstick before this shot. Not that I am vain or anything! haha.

It was cool to meet John and Cindy McCain and I FINALLY have the proof! What a day! The other men were also volunteer drivers in the motorcade. It was a wild ride to say the least. Actually, nothing all THAT exciting — just for me since it was the first and probably last time to go outside my normal realm of experience and do something different like that anyway. If you ever get a chance, say YES!

(For more Wordless Wednesdays and cool photos, check out WW HQ and 5 Minutes for Mom)

I was riding down the road the other day thinking, I am so happy in my life right now. It's a good busy. Of course, as many of us do, the next thought was "What is going to go wrong?" because it is bound to happen. Something is bound to go wrong.

And, then, as my leapfrog mind has a tendency to do, I said to myself, "It's okay to enjoy the good times because last year was pretty much the worst and this year is sooo much better." Last year, I tearfully left a job I hated and my husband was laid off the same week. I then entered another job that wasn't much better and decided to do part-time work from home.

Finding piecemeal work from home takes time. You try different things and see what works that will allow you to have time with your family and to explore your own passions to see what pays off (possibly financially, possibly beneficial in other ways like personal satisfaction from a volunteer position.) I definitely have more time to micromanage our home budget and it has paid off.

This last week I was able to do a fun thing since I had the time. As a volunteer, I drove in the motorcade that carried presidential candidate John McCain from the airport to his hotel and from the hotel, the next day, to a rally and back to the airport where I stood in a group with the other drivers and got a picture with Senator McCain and his wife. I will perhaps tell that story in more detail another day and perhaps another place since I just agreed to participate in the newly launching Philly Moms Blog. (My poor blog will even get less attention now!) It is quite a story, flying through Philly with the police protection, all roads blocked, gabbing with press and the officer in the seat next to me. It was an experience to remember. Of course, I was totally tongue-tied talking Senator McCain and his wife, Cindy. Briefly, here is how it went:

Campaign Person: "Get out of the van. Come on. Quick!"
Me -"Huh, what? okay."
Plowing through the press, we march straight up to Senator McCain and Cindy standing by airplane. They smile, shake my hand. All thoughts of "We're praying for you" etc go completely out of my head.

"Hi!" Cindy looks at me waiting for more. I have nothing. I glance a lovely glittery pin of some sort that catches my eye on her pretty blue suit and smile again. I note that her pretty blonde hair is pulled back today. She smiles back. I turn around to stand in the lineup for the photograph.

I stand next to John McCain as the other drivers shake hands and form a line. Recovering from temporary star-struck amnesia, I lean in and whisper "You are doing a great job!" He smiles briefly and keeps looking at the camera. I am not even sure if he heard me and was smiling at what I said or not.

Photograph is over and I head straight for the cameraperson to get her info on how to get the photograph e-mailed to me. Only later do I realize that I could have probably talked to Senator McCain longer if I had turned around rather than running for the cameraperson before she disappeared.

I really wish I would learn someday how to think on my feet! So much for a career in improv.! I should go talk to Joe Plumber, the guy that McCain quoted in his debate about not being able to pay his taxes! Only we do pay our taxes and we don't own our own business, unless you count my foray in Pampered Chef and freelance writing.

It was overall a fun day! And, I still made it to the pregnancy center annual fundraising banquet where I had to share testimonies about the volunteer work I do on Tuesdays. That was incredibly moving event as all the counselors shared both positive and difficult stories of young women who we had seen come in for a variety of reasons from pregnancy tests to material assistance.

God has been so incredible to me and my family and I am grateful to be able to serve Him in these ways.

  Brian and I enjoyed hearing Sarah Palin speak at a fundraiser in Philly at the Park Hyatt in the Bellevue Saturday night before she was whisked off to the Flyers game to drop the first puck. I was sorry she didn't shake hands or have time to talk with those of us unable to plunk down $1000 for a picture but you have to do what you have to do.

Sarah was eloquent, excited and so incredibly down to earth. She is truly an inspiring woman who totally seems comfortable with the opportunity God has allowed her to support John McCain and our country. There was no doubt to anyone there that she could do a great job, given the chance. I just really hope she gets that chance.

Palin spoke on finding the truth in all the claims being made, reiterated the need for energy independence, and generally rallied the crowds with compliments about the great city of Philadelphia and what McCain can do for all of us. The Palin love was high.

While I stood near the front, holding my place with slight elbow movements to prevent encroachers from taking on my spot (that's solidarity for you), Brian stood at the back smoozing with major supporters. He's not quite the celebrity stalker I am. hehe. Afterward, we slipped down to our car just in time to see the motorcade driving out the back. A friend got to fold her hands together in prayer and smiled at Palin through the Suburban window and Palin did the same gesture and smiled back.

Crazy times!