Wednesday, October 8, 2008

More email from Barack

You might remember that the Obamas and I correspond regularly through email. They like to keep me up-to-date on the campaign, and they're interested in what I think. So this morning I received the following from Barack:
Subj.: What do you think?

Cindy—

I thought the differences between John McCain and me were pretty clear
tonight. [Indeed.]

I will fight for the middle class every day, and—once again—Senator McCain didn't mention the middle class a single time during the debate. [Really? Not once?]

If you agree that we need to cut taxes for 95% of working families, reduce health care costs, and end the war in Iraq responsibly, then I need your help right now. [I agree.]

And if you heard John McCain push more of the same discredited policies, including tax cuts for the wealthy and giant corporations, tax increases on health care, and continuing to spend $10 billion a month in Iraq, then now is the time to act.

Four weeks from tonight, we'll know which of us will be the next president. [I'll have to stay up all night. The last time I went to bed happy about the outcome of an election, I thought Al Gore was my president.]

The time to make a difference in this election is running out—will you make a donation of $100 or more right now? [That Barack—he's always hitting me up.]

https://donate.barackobama.com/townhall

Thank you,

Barack

I would love to tell him how I think it went, but the truth is I didn't see the debate. I'm sure he will understand.

Dear Barack,

According to news reports I have read this morning, even though most people found the debate a real snooze, it sounds like you nailed it. Good job.

I can't give you any further specifics though since I didn't get to watch the debate. I know! Can you believe it? Here's what happened.

I came home from work a little early, put a boneless leg of lamb roast in the over on a low temperature, and took off to pick up Sophie from school. I figured I could get home, add potatoes to the pan, make a vegetable and a salad, pour a glass of pinot, and it would be Debate Time. Good plan, no?

But a few miles from Sophie's school, a white gaseous substance started billowing from my front hood. Thinking it would be a bad idea to get stuck on the small winding rural road I was about to enter and not wanting to burn up my engine, I pulled over. Remember how I don't have a cell phone? Because Husband points out that I work at a desk with a phone sitting on it? That doesn't cost us anything? Right. So instead of calling someone for help or at least calling the school to say I might be late picking up Sophie, I hitchhiked the last few miles to the school, where I set up my Crisis Command Center Station at the school secretary's desk.

Eight phone calls to AAA and over two hours later (I had to raid the school kitchen to scare up some dinner for my hungry kid), not one but two tow trucks show up in front the school, one from each direction. Duh. Thank goodness Husband had arrived by this time and could get all irate with AAA about the delay. By the time we got the car towed to our shop in Berkeley and got home, the debate was long over.

BUT MY ROAST. It was totally fucked. Just look at it:

At least the house didn't burn down.

And the car? A blown radiator. Estimated repair cost? $600.

So I'm glad the night went well for you. And I'm glad you're focusing on the economy. You know what Sophie said as I tucked her in last night? "Mama, I am worried about the car." I assured her that the car will be fine and we'll have it back in a few days. She said "No, Mama. I am worried about the cost."

Hang in there. It's almost over.

Best,
Cindy

8 comments:

The Food Librarian said...

Love that your daughter is up on the economy. My mom works at a school and a 2nd grader told her that we all need to save money and not spend too much.

Jen Yu said...

Gah! It scares me to turn on my oven and leave my house. I'm sorry about your car, hon, and sorry about the roast :( At least the house is still there and you have a wicked smart little chica daughter.

I'll help you with cake if you start posting your magical vanilla recipes (i.e. things to do with vanilla beans b/c jen is too stoopid to figure it out). xxoo

Deb said...

Being a staunch Barack supporter, I am certain he understands you and your pain.

Sarah Palin probably would have told you how you could do better next time.

Am I being too hard on her?

KK said...

Do you really turn on the oven and leave the house? That freaks me out. And leaving the house with the dryer on!! :)

P.S. The debate was a total snooze fest. These two aren't telling us anything they haven't said the past 5 months.

MsMVNJ said...

Too bad about the car, but glad you were able to get home safely. Barack will understand - hope you had a glass of Pinot anyway.

Glad to see Sophie is up on the economy...kids need to know it doesn't grow on trees (did I just say that??)

Belle said...

I'm so sorry about the car. (and the lamb) I've been driving my husbands work truck (yee-haw) the past week while the car is getting fixed. Trying to stuff one driver, two boys, two backpacks, one violin, two lunchboxes and my big honkin' bag in the cab has been very interesting. A lot of family bonding. Like Sophie, I'm worrying about the cost of the repairs. life...

BTW, I'm taking the boys to see Barack speak tonight. I'll pass your message on to him. ;)

Kate said...

Ugh that SUCKS! And fwiw - I often leave the oven going when I'm not home (and hope for the best!)

Anonymous said...

Dear Cindy,

Wow. That sounds like a difficult situation, but you seem to have handled it very well. As a working mother who knows how to set a crisis command center and who clearly is able to engage the public (given your blog's following), I would like to extend to you an invitation to join my future cabinet as secretary of the interior.

Naturally, I am sure that you will give up your ties to the Obama campaign and redirect any potential campaign donations my way.

I look forward to having another smart working mom on my team.

Sincerely,

John McCain

PS - Are you comfortable using the phrase "you betcha"?