Meeting the FLOTUS

Laura Bush spoke to the Congressional Club last week and promoted her new book, Spoken from the Heart. My boss' wife was kind enough to invite me to go along with her. I was ecstatic--I did not know exactly what to expect, but it was better than I imagined!

Mrs. Bush spoke for about 15 minutes, then read a short section from her book. There were 10 tables of 10 women--so it was a very intimate crowd. I was one table away from her! I was impressed by her beauty--so natural, her quiet manner that directly connected with everyone in the room, her soft wit that made us all laugh. While she was personalizing my book she asked me if I would like a picture...to which I answered, "YES!" I didn't want to ask her, but was so happy that she offered.

I highly recommend Spoken from the Heart. I'm reading through it now and loving it!

FLOTUS

Congressman Harper's wife, Sidney and me

Signed photographs from previous FLOTUS's adorned the walls at the Congressional Club

The note on this table is hand written by Mrs. Bush

Corporate Sponsor Reception

In thanks to the Mississippi Society's corporate sponsors, we held a rooftop reception at the Homer Building last Tuesday evening! The fall weather was perfect and we had a great view of our beloved city.

Kern and me with the Washington Monument behind us

Mary Ellis and Katie with me

Paul, Barr, Ty and Kern

Charles with our wonderful welcome sign

Great view

Happy Birthday Daddy!

September 16th is my dad's birthday! I surprised him last week (early) by showing up in Mississippi, but I wish I could be with him to celebrate on the actual day. My dad plays so many roles--husband, father, teacher, church leader, scout master, mentor...the list goes on! He has touched so many lives, and although he may not remember everyone's name...he can always have a 15 minute conversation with a person who greets him: "Hey! Dr. Penn...great to see you!" I am so thankful to have him as my father and I look up to him. I value his advice and love to hear his thoughts and opinions. I've put a few fun photos (some old and some new) up to pay tribute to our special father/daughter relationship.

Dad and me in July 2010

Our most recent golf game in September 2010

My 20th birthday

Funny faces (2005..I think?)

At a wedding in 2006

Project time!

Mom and I are famous for our projects...everything from scrapbooks to cooking to organizing (well, I guess that would be me forcing mom to organize...but that's another blog). We decided to embark upon our first furniture re-doing project. Mom just bought a new duvet for my room at home and we wanted to repaint the side table to match the pinkish flowers in it. So we....

sanded the old table (note the lovely water mark)

primed the drawers and table (I got primer in my hair and couldn't get it out for 2 days!)

painted the first coat of "St. Charles Street" (repeated again)

Mom and I found adorable new hardware at Anthropologie. Here are my cute

parents drilling new holes in the drawers

Finished! I wish I had a better shot of the duvet, but trust me, it matches perfectly!

Mississippi!

I'm spending a few days in Mississippi doing a combination of work and play...of course trying to squeeze in as much play as possible. It's so good to be in the Magnolia State for a few days without a pressing agenda. No weddings, engagement parties, major holidays...not that I don't LOVE all those things, but they leave less time for sitting, talking, and drinking coffee with my family.

I surprised my dad on Wednesday night by showing up at his office unannounced. I told him that his birthday present was arriving a week earlier...then...I arrived! Today I went to Christ Covenant Pre-school where my Mom teaches and got to meet her class--adorable! After lunch at Beagle Bagel, I told my mom I keep getting excited whenever I see a Mississippi license plate, then I remember..."Oh, I'm in Mississippi...not in DC...so that's normal."

Mom and I have started our first furniture refinishing project. We are taking a side table that's in my bedroom, (I use this term lightly...I suppose it could also be "the room I sleep in when I'm home) sanding it, and painting it "St. Charles Street"--a color that matches the flowers in the new Pottery Barn duvet Mom just bought! I will post pictures of all the stages once we are done!

On Friday afternoon, Dad and I are going to tackle the golf course and enjoy some Father/daughter time. I made sure to pack my mint green and white golf shoes along with a matching Lilly outfit--I have to look the part even if I'm a pretty terrible player. (Looking legit is 90% of it, right?)

On Saturday, I will go with Mary Jane to her final wedding dress fitting! I was able to be in Jackson for her last fitting too...special times! I'm so excited for my best friend--she will be married in just a little over a month!

Then on Sunday, it's back to the cit-ay and Congress is back in session next week! I doubt I'll be ready to leave Mississippi, but I will be ready to see Kern! And...I'll be back in a month!