Sarah Palin!

Sarah came to town yesterday. They started giving out tickets last week and ended up changing where she would speak, because of the demand for tickets. Appropriately, it was changed to the hockey arena, holding 9,000 people. I wanted to go, but didn't go get a ticket because we always get called at the last minute when our friends are trying to get rid of extra tickets! Yesterday was no different. I got a ticket, and just had to find a way to get out to the arena since I didn't have a car yesterday! Cary ended up coming and getting me, I took him back to work and took the car. Well, the doors opened at noon, and by the time I got all my ducks in a row, it was 2:00 when I got there. She was speaking at 3, so I thought I was still doing fine on time. The entrance to the arena was blocked with cops. All the parking lot was full. So, I went to the outlet mall right next door to the arena. I cannot even TELL you what it was like. Long story short...I had already walked yesterday morning and I got AT LEAST another couple of miles in. It is Florida, the heat is still with us, and I had dressed to go to the hockey arena...usually pretty cold in there! I was SOAKED all the way through everything I had on, literally DRIPPING WET. Finally got to the doors where there was a line about 15 people deep and it went ALL the way around the arena. I started praying for ANYONE I knew, and sure enough, one of Carissa's friends saw me. I jumped in line with her, and in no time we were heading through security where they took my UMBRELLA and I heard them say the fire marshal was fixing to shut them down. Only about 10 people made it in after me. So, I was there, soaking wet, and standing room only. And, stand we did. Lots of other political speakers spoke before Sarah ever even arrived in town. She was late. Finally, the moment I had been waiting for! She spoke! It was great to be there, but she didn't say anything I haven't already heard in the comfort of my air conditioned living room. When I left, I went and begged the secret service for my umbrella, and they did give it to me...as long as I was headed out THAT door and not coming back in! No one goes anywhere in Florida without an umbrella, and I sure wasn't gonna be happy if I had to take my NEXT ten mile hike in the afternoon rain storm without an umbrella! WHAT were they thinking??? So, I made it back to the car JUST as it started to rain. At this point, who could tell sweat from rain??? I was really in bad shape. Maybe the most eventful moment for me was seeing the group in the stands holding up the American flag. There's just something about the flag. My mom would have been really proud. I was standing close when some from the "other side" had gotten in and decided to make themselves known. Can I just tell you that you don't really want to be on THAT side of the secret service? Oh my. They were out of there! So, I will post a couple of pictures just to prove I was there. Sarah is the bright blue spot under the media's tripod. The one on the big screen is a bit better!