My gosh, that looks sinfully rich!
Eternal Vigilence e-mailed me that he had tickets for President Bush's appearanve in Charleston WV, so I told him to save me two. I figured I could get someone to go with me (hubby had to work). I asked around and got no takers, so I thought of ohioWfan who had often expressed a desire to see him. So, I freep mailed her and asked her if she would like to come and see the President with me and spend the night. She had to rearrange her schecule, but finally said she would love to come. In our arranging things I contacted Eternal Vig again and he said I could have more tickets if I wanted them, so when I talked to ohioW on the phone I asked if her son Eric would like to come with her. He jumped at the chance.
They arrived here yesterday at 1:30 and after a quick change we were on our way to Charleston. We arrived there about 3:00. Now to find Eternal Vigilence who had our tickets. We got in line and I called him on my cell phone. We connected up by phone and he came out to the line and gave us our tickets. So far so good. Everything is working like clockwork. The doors to the Civic Center opened at 4:00 and the lines moved pretty fast considering they searched everyone.
We found a seat in the middle on the front row balcony but soon realized that the media lights and umbrellas would block our view. We saw people standing down on the floor in front of the stage, so we decided to go down and stand through the whole thing (ouch my feet). We found a good spot almost on the rail right behind a lady wearing a giant pumpkin suit (I'm not kidding). Eventually ohioWfan had "ooched" her way up against the rail with her camera. We hope she got some good shots. We should know by tonight or tomorrow after she gets them developed.
Dubya came in from the side opposite from where we were and gave his standard speech. We all know them by heart now, but hearing it in person is special. We were happy to be close enough to get pictures, but when he finished he came off the stage ON OUR END! OhioW was ready with her camera. We were all reaching our hands out trying to be the one he would shake. He picked up a baby and held it up like he does so often. Then he came our way (OH LORD, HE'S GOING TO COME CLOSE ENOUGH TO TOUCH!). OhioWfan, being on the rail leaned over and said, "I pray every day for you and Laura." He reached out and hugged her and KISSED her n the cheek and said, "Thank you, that's the kindest thing you can do for us." While he was hugging her I was able to put my hand on top of his and squeeze it (well, it's better than not touching him). Then he reached up and shook hands with Eric. When he moved on, ohioWfan turned (in a trance) to Eric and he said (incredulously), "I just shook hands with my Commander in Chief." We met Jay Wolfe too and I was sorry that Dubya did'nt do more for him. The GOP hasn't supported Jay like they should have. I believe that if they had he could have put Rocky out of the Senate.
We let Eric drive and on the way home we stopped for a good meal and good conversation. Ladies I should tell you that Eric is a young man that any mother would be button-busting proud. He's a wonderful level-headed man (he says he's a man now because he went through his military training).
When we got back to my house we immediately reported in at the "Day in the Life" and everyone there was pea-green with envy. We giggled and freeped until 1:30 before turning in.
This morning I took them to breakfast at Melinda's and sent them off to Ohio. I can't remember when I've had so much fun. It was so great and I love ohioWfan. Of course you know that Freepers always love each other because we are like-minded people. I fell in love with Eric too. Well, there you have it. Our great adventure.