Politics have invaded my Cardinal games!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!  It is with deep disgust that I write this.  I thought my baseball was a safe haven from all those stupid political commercials we are all already sick of.   But no.  Isn't anything sacred anymore?   Leave our sports alone you big bunch of dummies!  Yuck    8-(       (That's supposed to be a mad face in case you wondered).
Mary Lynn Powell
P.S.  Marti is slightly improved this evening.  Keep your fingers crossed please.

Poor Marti

Marti and Misses Kitty

Our vet, Mac, called today and told me that Marti's white count came back nearly double what it should be and he wants to start him on an additional antibiotic.  Know wonder the little guy doesn't feel good.  Mac put him on Doxycyclene and Clindamaicin.  I can give him an asprin twice a day to help keep the fever down.  What we do know is that there is an infection somewhere in his body.  What we don't know is where.  So blasting it with anribiotics.  Please keep your fingers crossed he gets better.  Please, please, please.

And then there is this little red Chevy Impala that Rick is currently driving while the Subie gets repaired.  It is a flex/fuel vehicle, first one of those we've ever driven.  But it has one serious flaw and it is a big problem (see picture below).

Kansas...EWE!

We actually got an extra discount becasue we told the rental agent that we were not happy with the license plate.  We asked him to switch the plates but he said he couldn't.  I guess Rick could just drive it without plates.  Ya know, throw it in the back seat or something.  People will understand. 
Mary Lynn Powell

Whirlwind day

Rick and I both had our regular check-ups today.  Along the way we also stopped in to have lunch with my parents which I really, really had wanted to do more of this summer but was unable to due to campaigning.   But before we could do that we had to run our 5 year old cocker, Marti, to see Mac for the day because Marti has been feeling punky for the last two weeks and this morning he threw up twice.  I suspected that he was running a fever but now he added puking so off to the vet he go.  We picked up Marti at 4:30 after a bunch of blood work and the usual other samples collected from a pooch.  Mac will know more tomorrow when he gets the blood test results back.  Fingers crossed for nothing serious.  It's always something!  In the meantime I guess I have to start the job search.  Hopefully I can have something lined up before December 31st of this year. 
Mary Lynn Powell

The parts are in!

Well, most of the parts are in, enough to get started on it.  The Subaru is going into the shop to get repaired from when we hit the deer, or actually he (a little fork buck) hit us on our way home from campaigning a couple of weeks ago.  I have been holding it together with duct tape since then.  (You can look back in my blog and see the pics.)   We didn't have time to address it during the campaign so it was put off until now.  It will be nice to have it fixed!  :-)
Mary Lynn Powell

Dead animal day.

None of the pets, thank goodness, but it's what they brought me.   One of the dogs showed up with the south-bound end of a north-bound rabbit.   Then there was a scuffle over it with the dog and a couple of the cats.  It was grab and run time.  About an hour of so later one of the cats strolls toward the garage with a bird in its mouth.  Why or why do they feel the urge to bring you what they just killed?   One time I opened the garage door and there was a big pile of pin feathers swirling about, never found the rest of the bird.  I know they kill and eat smaller animals but I would rather not be included in their feasts.  Yuck!
Mary Lynn Powell 

It is showering meteors!

I saw about a dozen last night and two really bright ones tonight so far.  Quite a show!  Trying to stay awake a little longer.
Mary Lynn Powell

The nerd in me...

...compels me to remind everyone about the Perseid Meteor shower that is going on the next three nights.  Translation, lots of shooting stars so get you butt outside tonight and look up at the show that God is putting on for us.  It can be up to 60 meteors an hour, little ones that are quick and big one's that change colors streaking across the sky.  That's up to one a minute folks so, I repeat, get your butt out there and look up!  Okay, now the nerd in me feels better.  And the other thing I wanted to reflect on tonight is comfort food.  Specifically, for me today, it was icecream.   Five scoops from the Paris Exchange.  Yes, just for me and I ate it all.  Everyone else got their there own.  Amber was just laughing at me.  But I had to get it out of my system and hey, I'm down 19 pounds from campaigning in the heat!   I'm just glad I didn't go buy a half gallon.   It would not have stood a chance.   LOL
Mary Lynn Powell

Ya know, ya put those things out a few here one day and a few there...

the next time out...but when it comes to picking up the signs, YIKES!  Two solid 9 hour days picking those blasted things up.  People don't want those things in their yard in the first place.  Those that are kind enough to allow it deserve to have them taken up ASAP.  We drove 166 miles in Monroe County today alone.  Started at 9:30 and got back to the house at 7:00 and then had to box those suckers up.  Whew!  Glad that's done!  I could never have completed it without help from some wonderful people.  Thank you!  I am beginning to feel like I can get my life back but I still have a couple of loose ends to tie up.   Oh, and the parts have been ordered to repair the deer damage on the car.  Still in all I have so much to be thankful for. 
Mary Lynn Powell

Here's a brain dump for you....Lessons learned.

I always knew in my heart that politics wasn't my thing so I should have listened more to my heart than my head.   Lesson learned.
The definition of instanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.  Okay God, I hear you this time and will not go there again.  I thought that since I had PROVEN what a good job I could do for Monroe County that would have helped.  Lesson learned
In Monroe County you can win public office on your last name, or in my opponent's case, her current husband's last name.  (I've been holding that one in for months!)  Lesson learned.
And I wonder if my opponent is bondable.  That was such a black eye on the county last time.  At my meetings and trainings Monroe County was known as "that county that elected someone that couldn't take the job."  Awkward.  Time will tell. 
Still, I have a LOT of people that helped me so much and wanted this for me so badly and knew I was the better choice, I owe them a debt of gratitude that I don't know how to repay.  So I really am the lucky one even though I didn't win. 
More tomorrow.
Mary Lynn Powell

I have been fired!

I lost by 38 votes.  So they have effectively fired someone who worked hard for them and computerized the office and made a multitude of other improvements and Monroe County has decided that they would like to settle on someone with no education and is going to go back to a handwritten ledger.  And we wonder why Washington is so screwed up!  That's politics for you!   I thanked the people who supported me, had faith in me and believed in me.  The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.  I'm done with the insanity.
It was quite the ride and I hope you enjoyed coming along with me.  I owe a debt of gratitude to those that supported me and voted for me.  I cannot thank you enough!
Mary Lynn Powell

Waiting, waiting, waiting

The polls don't close until 7:00.  Then, all of the ballots have to be brought to the courthouse from around the county.  I might know something by 8:30 but not really counting on it.  Prayers please!
Powell for Treasurer 2012
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The final, final

Worked as usual today.  Had a lot of people stop by to let me know that they had absentee voted for me.  That is always nice.  But still, there is no guarantee on this.  I hope the people that thought I had it in the bag and didn't vote last time get off their butts and make sure they vote this time.  At this point I have to give it to God and ask that it be His will that I win tomorrow, in Jesus name, Amen.  If not, then I pray for the strength and grace to deal with the dissapointment.  No matter what, I have a LOT of people that helped me so much I owe them a debt of gratitude that I don't know how to repay.   I sent out thank you notes to everyone who has shown me that support and we will also have a party for everyone who has helped.   Rick wants to smoke some ribs for them.  :+)
Holding my breath!
As always, all prayers are appreciated!
Powell for Treasurer 2012
Vote for Continued Progress - Vote Powell

Holding my breath!

Today we started with church in Paris then rushed up to Monroe City to the VFW hall for breakfast. YUM! Afterwards we went around straightening out some signs.  When we got back home I finished writing my last 8 thank you cards.  We wanted to go to the Dry Doc for dinner but when we got there the doors were locked so not sure what is going on there, was really looking forward to a steak off that wonderful grill.  So we went over to Jacs instead.  Man do they have good food!  Came home and tried to spend the evening relaxing.  It was easier to do so tonight because the speaking engagements are over.  I was able to buy a Mexico paper to see my ad in there but not able to get my hands on a Moberly paper yet.  I hope they got it right.  The Appeal did not have the correct ad this last week.   Bummer! 
I know that if it is God's plan for me I will win this election. 
Powell for Treasurer 2012
Vote for Continued progress - VOTE Powell

Coming down the home stretch!

Last night I was just too tuckered out to blog.  It was a hectic day at work and we were sending out a mass mailing to all the rural areas in Monroe County since we started campaigning there first 3 months ago and I thought a reminder of my qualifications might be a good idea.    Rick ran to all the different post offices dropping off the mailers so everyone would get my mailer today.  Then, I was finishing up the thank you cards to everyone who has my sign in their yard.  About 150 of them. 
Saturday found us going to a fundraiser in Stoutsville then a couple of VERY successful stops in Monroe City.  (More on that on Monday).  So this week I campaigned in Holliday one night, Madison the next night, Paris the next and Stoutsville and Monroe City today.   I wanted to be seen in all the major areas the last week of campaigning.  Lots of miles on the vehicle this week.  And I am happy to report that the duct tape is still holding!  The parts for the repair are being ordered.
Tonight was the last speaking event before the election.  It was on the courthouse lawn and it was really hot and not a lot of air movement.  YUCK.  I think the weather kept a lot of peope away.  There were a lot more of the candidates there to speak tonight.   My opponent read her speech off of cards not really offering much information but just talking a lot.  I told everyone how grateful I was for the support from my husband and my friends and even people that I do not know well.  The support I have been shown has really touched my heart.  I then said, "I am sure there were some of you that wondered if I could really get the office computerized.  I have done that and then some, so if you needed proof, just look at the office now."  I also explained how my computer experience gives me a decided advantage in knowing what has to be done to protect the county's money.  I told them how I check every single bank account under my care everyday to make sure that everything looks okay.  I also told them that one of my next improvements will be to start balancing everyday and not just once a month and that I knew that this was a necessary next step because of the expereince I had to draw from.  I also asked them to "please" vote for me on August 7th because my mother taught me manners.  Overall I was serious when talking about guarding the county's money but also lighthearted and upbeat for the rest.  I think it went okay.  Afterwards there was an auction to benefit the Paris Senior Center and I think they raised a good amount of money.  We, of course, bought a couple of things.  All in all a very good day.
For the next three days I will need lots of prayers.  We have a busy schedule tomorrow and I have no idea what Monday or Tuesday is going to bring. 
Powell for Treasurer 2012
Vote for Continued Progress - VOTE Powell

We hit the misses

Tonight we went around to those houses where we wanted to catch someone home and no one was there last time we came by.  I made a lot of good contacts and got a lot of support.   When people ask me how I think it's going I tell them that if everyone who says they are going to vote for me actually does vote, I should have no problem winning on Tuesday.  However, whether or not those people actually do what they say remains to be seen.  I am at the mercy of the voting public so who knows how it will turn out.   You don't normally get rid of somebody who is doing a good job but this is politics so it makes no sense.  :+)
Powell for Treasurer 2012
Vote for Continued Progress - VOTE Powell

Monroe County Appeal

Today's Appeal was significant for a number of reasons:
1)  The Candidate Questionnaire that profiled my opponent and I;
2)  Final ad before election;
(These next two are great)
3)  I received a personal endorsement from prominent people in Madison, Holliday and Paris telling the citizens to vote for me because my education and experience is far and above my opponents;
4)  My old boss wrote an excellent article about voting for the most qualified candidate with very pertinent reasons for voting for me me.
The last two I am SO VERY humbled by, that these fine folks were willing to put their names behind me, WOW.  I can't begin to tell you how that made me feel.
And the icing on the cake was that I closed the month of July in record time.  Balancing to the penny as always!
Powell for Treasurer 2012
Vote for Continued Progress - VOTE Powell

Mom is home!

Her sodium level has been brought back up to normal and she has some stomach problems to deal with but fortunately it is not serious.  Thank you GOD!!!   Life is becoming more of a frenzy as the election draws near.  One week from today.  So many things to take care of at the end.  Then, throw in month end at work, but that will go smoothly as I have already done my pre-balancing the last two days.  
For me the countdown to August 7th has begun.  All prayers are appreciated!
Powell for Treasurer 2012
Vote for Continued Progress - VOTE Powell 

What a day!

Mom is still in the hospital.  She will have another test tomorrow.  I am so torn wanting to be with her and knowing what is already on my plate for election stuff in trying to keep my job.  We did go out and campaign for a while after work tonight.  My was it muggy!  But the reception was good by everyone.  The sunset was gorgeous.

Thank you God for this beautiful day.  Please watch over my mom.  Amen.
Powellfor Treasurer 2012
Vote for Continued Progress - VOTE Powell

Prayer request

On the way to church this morning I received a text from my sister that my mom was in the hospital.  As soon as I got into church I went up to the priest and asked him to include her in his prayers.  I thought to myself, mom would want me in church praying for her.  Apparently her sodium level is seriously low and she is dehydrated.  She spends so much of her time and energy taking care of my dad (who has MS and is in a wheel chair) that she neglects her own care.  Anyone who has ever been a care-giver knows how easily that happens.  She should be released from St. Luke's tomorrow but in the meantime they are running other tests to make sure that this is the only problem she has.  All prayers are appreciated!
Powell for Treasurer 2012
Vote for Continued Progress - Vote Powell

Madison Christian Church Fundraiser

The ladies at the Madison Christian Church prepare absolutely delicious cakes to serve with the icecream at this fundraiser.  Yum!   There was a nice crowd and the weather cooperated very nicely.   However, there was a lot of hot air at the event because the politicians were speaking.  LOL  I started my speech by letting everyone know I was running on my qualifications and my achievements made over the past 15 months in the Treasurer's office.  I gave examples of how I have been able to provide better information to the other offices in the courthouse by keeping detailed spreadsheets for all of the bank accounts under my care and I have helped the local cemetery trustees by giving them the pertinent information about their checking accounts and CDs that they need.  I think it went pretty well.  I was upbeat as always.  Only one more speaking event to go.  Yea!  Coming down the home stretch!  All prayers are appreciated!!!!!
Powell for Treasurer 2012
Vote for Continued Progress - VOTE Powell