White House Christmas reception
The White House kicked off its 25 Christmas receptions 2 days ago, and Rich and I were invited to last night’s via the WH’s social policies director. Daena said they’re trying to invite as many people as possible to this year’s receptions since this is President Bush’s last. I will get to go again December 10 as Daena’s guest for her staff reception. These are so lovely. I wish all could attend.
(The photo at right, courtesy of the WH, is of the lighting of the WH Christmas tree, which immediately preceded our reception.)
Funny story about our photo with President and Mrs. Bush. We were announced as “Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Jill Stanek” as we approached them. The photo line-up was me, President Bush, Laura, and Rich….
President Bush put his arm around me and me him and as we smiled for the camera, I said, “Actually I’m Forest Gump. I get my photo taken with you a lot but you have no clue who I am.” (I thought later that could have been interpreted as a snobby comment, but that’s not how I meant it!) He said, still looking at the camera, “How do you know I don’t know who you are?” And then they snapped the photo and he looked at me and I said, “Well, do you?” And he stared at me for a sec and said, “No.” And we all laughed and we were moved along.
We had trouble getting the hang of taking photos with a different camera than we were used to, so most of them didn’t come out. I’ll post more next week when I go back with Daena. Here’s 1 that did, us in front of the WH Christmas tree in the Blue Room:
And here’s this year’s White Chocolate House:
I just spotted a completely opposing view to another’s experience last night. I will say we did note there were a lot of Texans in the crowd. But I’ve always thought military personnel serving in the WH must be honored to be selected for that assignment, not demeaned.
Here is this year’s menu. The food was wonderful. Believe it or not, they serve mixed drinks, which for some reason surprised me the 1st time I learned this. The spiked eggnog is the best I’ve ever had.
Here’s a fact sheet on the WH Christmas decor this year. The theme is “Red, White, and Blue Christmas.”
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
He’s only laid eyes on you how many times and he still doesn’t know you?
Doesn’t he know you’re that pesky, anti-abortion, fetal-holding, Obama migraine?
lol… nope. Although now you’ve given me the short synopsis I’ll quickly rattle off should he ask me next time… :)
Right wing extremist, conservative nut job, Daena’s mom!!! :)
And did I mention you were a white nurse?
I like it – let’s optimize:
“Seriously right-wing fetal-holding congressional witness, Obama’s extremely annoying anti-abortion opponent – Daena’s mom.”
And from all those photos I thought you and President Bush were buddies. ;-)
Actually Jill, given how the WH has been transformed for battlefield operations reporting & war management, it’s not surprising that Bush doesn’t know you. Drop the hint at the next reception he should continuing establishing a much needed pro-life legacy. Victory in Iraq is meaningless if we don’t defend the most innocent lives at home.
Now Obama on the other hand – you may not meet him all the time, but Carder is right – you should be in his head giving him a migraine every day!
Your time “such as this” is only beginning!
Sneak me some red velvet cake if there’s any at the reception for your daughter’s staff, okay? And don’t take a bite of it. ;)
Order one of everything on the menu!! Delish!
I don’t see anything on the menu with saffron in it… I thought the White House went all out for occasions like this? :)
Look again, Bobby! The asparagus has saffron with it.
What?! Well I’ll be…
“Now Obama on the other hand – you may not meet him all the time, but Carder is right – you should be in his head giving him a migraine every day!”
================================
Ok…IF the unthinkable happens, and Jill has a photo-op with the Obaminator…would Jill accept?
it surprised you that they had mixed drinks? Come to Texas and find out what Bush was like before he became president.. They guy wouldn’t go to a party without drinks.
Janel,
Isn’t it great that we can change? I don’t care what President Bush’s past was — he learned from his mistakes and I think that he is a classy man and a great president.
What a menu! Yum!
President Bush has kept us safe for 8 years. God bless him for weathering the attacks of the left and forging ahead to defend our nation’s security, and to spread freedom to people in the Middle East. The tragedies in Mumbai show us how bad things can really be. I would have been honored to attend an event like this.
Cheese and crackers, shoot I’m sorry I missed it.
Were there really no African Americans there? The post from the link you gave us said it was 99% white with only one or two Asian people. Well except for the help. Is that why Republicans don’t want black women to get abortions? Because they’ll be no one to serve you drinks at your Christmas parties? Hey if you just loosened up immigration restrictions you would have enough Mexicans to wait on you.
It’s a shame they didn’t have anything really nice like roast pig;
http://www.hobotraveler.com/blogphotos01/206-09-pig-roast-tupi-philippines.jpg
Hisman and Jasper would be drooling : P
I think it’s giving Hisman the “come hither” look : )
yum, a pig roast. Yummy bacon!
I got to go to the White House one time for a ceremony, as a member of the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women. Okay, I remember: it was October 3, 2005.
One of the other members – a fairly prestigious woman – took a poll: yes, virtually all of us had bought new clothes.
They managed to find a brand new way to spell “Nuckols,” and so I was held until the very last minute at the front gate – then told to run by the Secret Service man, in order to get there before the President.
We weren’t supposed to take pictures or even have our cameras with us. It turned out that some of the judges and law enforcement people knew that wasn’t rule that would be enforced.
Anyway, the woman who took the poll and another Honorable woman member (who had brought her camera) showed us their souvenirs the next day: paper guest towels from the powder room. (I wish I’d hung around with them.)
Have fun, and remember it *is* our House and this is our President. He pushed the Partial Birth Abortion Ban, the Prenatal Protection Act, and (thanks in large part to you) the Born Alive Protection Act.
Perhaps you could invite him to the Rally two days after he finally gets a day off.
As long as you get to it before Hisman, Jasper ; )
Posted by: Jess at December 5, 2008 6:15 PM
Sheesh, between you, Doug and The Raving Atheist, (old faithful-like coffee spews) my computer screen has seen more wear and tear… :D
It takes a LOT of beer to roast a hog.
Jess @6:12 pm — weren’t you complaining not too long ago about unkind remarks by other posters on this blog?
I got to tour the White House too!! We saw all of the rooms including the Oval Office…I got to even swirl in the chair…..OK OK so I am dreaming. Continue your fetal holding, obama grinding ministry.
God bless and Aloha, lois
Yeah I was Eileen #2 until I found out that was actually the point of this blog. The one who can get the dirtiest, most underhanded remarks in before they are banned is the winner! Better watch out, I’m gaining on you Jasper!
Jill, I think you need to update your blog and WND photo. It looks like you’re pulling a Doug!
Now doggoneit – one of these days I’m going to take a good picture….