Day 230: Updates on Tidbits

Several of you have asked me to follow up on some pending items that I have posted about on the Birthday Blog or to give more scoop about a particular topic.... so here we go ...

Yes, I am now talking to hubby Brian even though I wasn't post the scare of my life the other night .... (Read Blog Post Day 228)

The replaced Simon mattress is fabulous! So much better then the slab of cement we originally purchased. Brian and I are very grateful for our comfy snooze! (Read Blog Post Day 205)

The entire lower part of my body is in very bad pain from my fall the other day. I had a tough workout this morning, running suicides (sprints) and tonight I'm just damn sore all over. (Read Blog Post Day 229)

Kid sister Jennifer and beau Kevin sent us fresh farm cheese FedEx today from the countryside in New York! You may have read about it in my Blog .... We visited the farm on our trip to New York over Thanksgiving, Old Chatham Sheepherding Company, in Hudson, New York.

They sent us Hudson Valley Camembert Soft Ripened Cheese, made with fresh sheep and cow's milk! Can you imagine we received a box of fresh cheese all bundled and packed on ice packs! Delicious. (Read Blog Post Day 223)

And updates on painful matters going on in friends' lives. Since I wrote about some challenges friends were facing (Read Blog Post Day 207) unfortunately other very sad things have crept into the lives of people I love.

My dear friend & NWPC sister Terry Gibson buried her 18 year old grandson this week. He was a recipient of a heart transplant and didn't make it ... Just a young boy.... there's nothing you can say to a parent who buries a child or to their grandma... My prayers go out to Terry and her family.

Another family is faced with their daughter having major surgery next week to remove a tumor which has not been determined as malignant or benign. The waiting is a life sentence. Painful. Our prayers go out to this family as well.

And there are other very dear friends who are experiencing issues with their children that are very painful. All we can do is be there to listen, support and love. I send you all my love ...

Day 26 & 27: I Love Talking Women Politics!

This weekend I was invited to speak on a panel to discuss the challenges and experiences of running for public office. The event was hosted by the Ventura Chapter of the National Women's Political Caucus and I was honored to be included. The theme centered around the differences in how women lead, the difficulties women confront when running for office and what can we do to invite more women into the political process. All worthy topics and issues that are near & dear to my heart. Pictured above from left to right are Susan Rose, one of the panelist, Marie Lakin, President of the Ventura NWPC Chapter, Me, and my ever faithful Rebecca Simon, my former campaign manager.

I was very disappointed when I lost my campaign for City Council last year. I refer to my campaign as the longest job interview I've ever had. Can you imagine applying for a job for 18 months, enduring 26 interviews in front of thousands of people and then being rejected! Ouch... can you see why that would sting. But this weekend I was alive again as I sat in front of an educated and active group of people who share my passion for seeing more women in office. I realized that my commitment to this cause has never wavered despite my individual set back.

I shared the panel with two remarkable and accomplished women. Carmen Ramirez seated center in the photo to the left who is a candidate for the Oxnard City Council and Susan Rose, former Santa Barbara County Board Supervisor. Both women have a lengthy resume of work they have performed on behalf of the environment, women and families and their communities.

In addition to speaking passionately about women and politics it was also an afternoon to see friends who were dedicated supporters during my campaign. Pictured to the right is Terry Gibson, who faithfully gave and sent her love throughout my race. And pictured with me below to the left is Celeste Weingardt, former State President of NWPC-CA and a champion for women running. I was honored to serve as the NWPC State VP of Communications during Celeste's tenure and was always in awe of her leadership. These women epitomize what NWPC is about - a commitment to electing qualified and pro choice women into office.

I am grateful for these women and the entire Ventura NWPC Caucus for their continued support of my political endeavors and for inviting me to join them at their annual signature event Politics, Tea, & Thee. I am grateful too for our shared belief that women can make a difference when elected to public office and that we can't rest until we reach our goal 50/50 by 2020! (50% representation by women, 50% by men by the year 2020)