Still recovering from this weekend!

I love having family come to the farm.  There is so much to do here and we always have a good time.  There were 4 adults and 6 kids, 4 of which were teenage girls.  Add to that the different activities that we were running to and it made for quite the whirlwind weekend.  But none of that ever kept me from getting out and campaigning.   Tonight I met a couple of characters.  One was a German Shepard, a big one.  We pulled up and Rick and I saw it at the same time and said "Oh!" at the same time.  Actually, she was pretty cool.  And the other one, I was outside talking to a nice lady and I could hear this noise coming up behind me and I turned around to see a VERY LARGE St. Bernard.  I, of course, just started talking to him and gave him a treat and rubbed his ears and other than he couldn't keep his nose out of my butt, everything was just fine between me and him and I left with the lady's vote and a sign in her yard.  :-)
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Old Thresher's Parade

My sister Kathleen and her girls came up for the weekend.  We had a great visit and celebrated Rick's birthday on Friday.  They all helped in the parade. 

Kathleen helped decorate my Chevy.  Thanks Sissy!

Rick, Marissa, Alyssa, Me, Emily & Jennifer

Sissy and I went early to pitch in and help work the gate from 8-10, then we jumped in the truck and rode through the parade.  Afterwards we toured the surrounding festivities and bought things here and there, supporting the cause.   After campaigning all afternoon Saturday we went to see some great fireworks at a party at a friend's house and, of course, I campaigned there also.
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Swinkey Picnic

What a whirlwind weekend!   Today was the infamous Swinkey Picnic at Indian Creek.  They serve a great meal and then all the candidates speak.  Martha and Dorsey came with us and we set up a tent to hand out my information and free bottles of cold water.  Thank you friends!  The cold water was very well received.(The Swinkey Picnic always delivers on the heat and the food).  I walked around the festivities and campaigned everyone I could find and handed out candy to the kids.  When it was speech time I let everyone know how I am a watchdog over the county's money.  I explained how I have kept my promises since taking office by computerizing the office, running it full-time and I kept the candy tradition.  And by no longer purchasing the old ledger pages, I saved the county that money.   And I asked them to vote Powell by saying, "I have more progress to make but I can't do it without their vote".   My was I surprised when I got compliments about my speech from the Republican candidates!   Maybe I can get them to swing my way.  :-)



Free Ice Water provided by Friends of Mary Lynn Powell

Speaking at Swinkey

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Happy Birthday Rick

Today was my husband's birthday.  We celebrated with his daughter, Michele, and the grandkids during the day and then my sister, Kathleen, and her daughters joined us at dinner and for the rest of the weekend.  Rick told me that he had a really good day so I am happy for that.  I always enjoy having the family around for any reason. 



The birthday boy and family

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Busy weekend on the horizon

Over the past two days we have campaigned all morning, most of the afternoon and again in the evening and it has been very humbling to hear from people that they have heard how hard I have worked to get the Treasurer's office to where it is today.  I am always surprised when they tell me that they know I have been doing a good job.  I appreciate their trust and faith in me.  This evening I went to the Old Thresher's Fish Fry.  I have been going to this for years.  I always enjoy visiting with my friends there, especially Howard and Karen Ramsey.  We have been big Noodling supporters for 10+ years and have worked hard with Howard to get a Noodling season in Missouri.  Seven states adjoining Missouri and many others have a handfishing season, why is Missouri left out?   
And on a family note, Rick's daughter, the grandkids, my sister and her kids are all coming up this weekend for Rick's birthday.    :-)
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Campaiging just isn't the same...

...without Cardinal games.  I really enjoy my Cardinal baseball and I am ready for the All-Star break to be over.  Campaigning with the Cardinals on the radio is our usual thing and I can't wait for Friday when they will be back on the radio. 
We devoted the entire day and evening to knocking doors today.  I was able to get out some signs in PRIMO locations and I met a whole lot of nice people.  We are also gearing up for a house full of company this weekend for Rick's 66th birthday along with a full schedule of political activities.  Busy, busy, busy!
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Oh Deer

When we were out campaigning tonight we came across a lot of deer - all over the place.  We also had a good visit with a friend of ours that we hadn't seen in awhile.  But the funniest thing was a houseful of old english bull dogs, 4 to be exact, 3 adults and a brindle puppy that was just the cutest thing ever!  These guys had just come out of the water and were VERY friendly - immediately soiling my pants with their muddy feet and covering me in that lovely wet dog smell.  PU!  (But still very cute.)  I gave them all treats while I was winning over the owners.  It was really quite comical but I know I left with their vote.  And I was able to get a sign out in a really good spot.  All in all a very successful evening.
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Another long day and

I have 30 more to go.  After work today I had the Board meeting at the Manor.  It was fairly cut and dry but lots going on, all good.  Then I knocked doors for a little while before going home to work on more signs.  I had to glue the wires in a bunch more of them to have them ready for campaigning rigorously again.  We did get out and campaign during the heat but had to be real careful and pace ourselves whereas with the cooler weather (90s LOL) it will be easier to cover more territory. It is a busy week and weekend ahead.  Whew!
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Madison Car Show and Parade

This is a big fund raising event for the community of Madison and brings cars from the 1920s to the 1970s.  It was another very hot day so that held the parade participants to a minimum.  The parade got started a little early so there weren't a lot of kids to throw candy to but I did my best to hit the ones that I saw.  Then we went to the car show and made our way around to each booth that was selling one thing or other and we bought a bunch of 50/50 tickets.  Other than being very hot, it was a good time.  I love cars but it's really not Rick's thing.  Later in the day my friends Linda and Tim came to the farm to help me finish celebrating my 50th.  We went to church then came home and had a great steak dinner with all kinds of fresh vegs from the garden including SWEET CORN.   Yum!
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Holliday Christian Church-Politics and Icecream

After work Rick and I made it over to Holliday for the Christian Church's fundraiser.   It was another speaking event.   They had it in the church's basement due to the treamendous heat outside.  They drew a big crowd for the cake, icecream and politic-ing.  I was one of the last to speak because that's the way I fall on the ballot.  I gave a good, informative and timely speech about the many changes that I have brought to the Treasurer's office over the past year and let them know that I have more improvements planned for the future.  Everyone seemed to listen very intently.   I have a lot of support in Holliday and most of the residents are very civic minded.  I appreciate that quality in a community. 
I am still recovering from the ballgame last night, this getting older thing takes a lot of energy!  ;-)
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Happy Birthday Me!

I rolled over the big 50 on the 5th.  Rick and I spent some family time early in the day and I always try to see my mom on that day cause she's the reason I am here.  Then we went to the Cardinal Baseball game and oh my was it HOT!!!!   We sat in the Commissioner's Box seats in the front row just off to the right of the dugout.  It was really awesome.  We had our picture taken in the dugout before the game.  And the Cardinal's won the game!  What a great birthday present!  Happy 50th Birthday Me!
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A Happy 50!

 


National Anthem




My Boys




Yadi with Lance Lynn

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Happy Birthday America!!!!

 We started the day with a big parade in Monroe City.  There was lots of patriotism!  And even patriotic animals!   The patriotic pony was my favorite followed by Baxter the patriotic puppy.  We all enjoyed the day celebrating America's birthday in Monroe City. 


Decorating the truck with Marissa, Megan and my friend Anita

Patriotic pony

Both sides!

Baxter the Patriotic puppy

Can it get any hotter?

Forget I asked, it probably will.  I finished closing out the month at work today, balanced to the penny as I do every month.  Next step will be the Treasurer's 6 month recapitulation (aka summary).  I will finish that on Friday because I won't be at work on Thursday because it's my 50th Birthday so I am taking the day off to celebrate this milestone.  I am sure glad God has had plans for me and kept me around this long.  I have had a wonderful life and I am very blessed and I know it.  I am very grateful. 
I hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July tomorrow. 
Happy Birthday America!!!!!
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Jac's Restaurant

After church on Sunday, we went to the new restaurant in Paris called Jac's Restaurant.  It is Mexican and American and VERY good.   We had breakfast there before heading to Moscow Mills to have dinner with my family for my birthday.  We had another great meal and some even better family time.  We get together and all just start talking about anything and everything, playing catch-up with each other.  Afterward, we brought Marissa and Meghan home with us to help with the parades we have coming up.  It should be great fun!
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Dog Days

And not just because of the heat.  When we were out campaigning along the county line we ran across lots of critters.  I was rushed by two good sized Rottwielers(sp?).  When we pulled in the driveway Rick saw the dogs and said, "Have your pepper spray ready."  I wasn't worried.  I had my treats ready and said to the dogs, "Hi guys" and gave them each a treat.  They were good dogs that just look and behave aggressively at times but they didn't phase me at all.  I told the owners that they need not worry because we are "dog people" and have many of our own at home.  Then a couple of houses later there was a daschund and mini pincher that greated me when I got out of the car but as I was walking up the steps of the deck a large black nose poked out from between the stair treads.  I just started laughing and gave the lab mix a treat.  They were all good dogs.  Then there was the farm with about a dozen turkeys and 30 chickens running around everywhere.  Not a dog or cat in sight.  I was hoping those people were home so I could ask them about there collection of critters but no one was home.  At another house was Baxter and Sadie and they were both really friendly dogs.  So it was kinda animal adventure day. 
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Paul Quinn's Fundraiser

Paul Quinn is our State Representative and he is up for election this year also.  He is an extremely nice Irish Catholic young man who does not have a political agenda.  His agenda is what is best for Missourians and he's always willing to listen and truely cares about making Missouri better for us, our kids and our grandkids.  So, tonight after work, we went campaigning on the way to Paul's fish fry.   I even got another sign out which was nice.  I just wish I felt better.  Still trying to mend from the stomach flu last weekend.   I made it to all the important engagements scheduled for this week, but just barely.  It was nice to sit in the air conditioning tonight and enjoy a great meal with friends and supporters.  As soon as we got home I went straight to the garden to give it some water and TLC before the sun went down.
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Financial Audit

I had an auditor in my office yesterday.  He was looking at numbers for the detailed financial audit.    I had him sit at the other (cleaned off) desk and showed him where I kept the 2010 and 2011 records and let him do his thing.  He made notes on his computer and lots of copies.  I explained to him that the 2010 records were that of the previous treasurer and that I produced most of the 2011 records.  When he got ready to leave I asked him if he was able to find everything and he said, "Yes, I found everything I needed.  Thank you for your help.  I can really see the improvements you made in this office and I like the way you keep your records.  It made everything very easy for me to get the information I was looking for."  I thanked him for his comment and he let me know that he would have his report done in a couple of weeks.  That went VERY well for an audit experience!
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Paris Methodist Church Ladies Salad Supper (say that 3 times fast)

Well, after work tonight, since it's SO HOT outside, I was very happy to have a place to go inside!  It was a festive and delicious evening and I had a great time visiting with the ladies at the salad supper.  The guest speaker talked about her rebuilding trip in Joplin where she was able assist the Extreme Home Makover crew with several of the houses they built on their 7 houses in 7 days show where she helped mostly with landscaping.  It must have been a very rewarding.   Help others and you help yourself!
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Monroe County Democrat Club

After work today, we had our Democrat meeting in Madison so Rick and I decided to campaign in the area on our way to the meeting.   We made stops along Highway 151.  That is a LONG highway.  It will probably take us one more day to complete.  There are some really pretty houses along this road. 
The meeting was another good rally to get us all fired up to get out the vote in August and November.  There have been a lot of political meetings to attend with this being a Presidential year.  I hope I can stir up enough votes for a win!
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Dollar Days Picnic

Chris Koster

This is an annual event for Democrats in North-East Missouri to have a rally.  It gives the big Dems (like our AG at right) a chance to talk to us and then the little guys like me get up and introduce ourselves.  You get a nice meal and drink for $1.00.  Ya can't beat that price.  It was a nice evening for it and I needed the break from campaigning tonight because I still don't feel well.  Hopefully tomorrow I will feel more human as I have a busy day!
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