A Month in the life of President Bush ( News and many photos) February 2008

To: 1Peter2:16; 2Jedismom; 2Trievers; 4mycountry; A_perfect_lady; Alberta's Child; Allegra; AllieOop; ..

Day after he handed off reigns, local has lunch with former president

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By Diane N. Holland
Updated: 01.26.09

Tomball resident and Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce president, Diane Holland, stands with former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura Bush, at their ranch in Crawford.

Never could I have imagined when the phone rang on Jan. 16 what events would follow. It is one of those times that I will never forget or be able to say “thank you" for adequately. What came to pass the following Wednesday for the most part felt like a dream (still does, at times.)

Don, one of my high school classmates, asked me if I would like to go with him to the ranch in Crawford, Texas. I asked, “The Ranch?”

“Yes,” he replied, “President Bush’s ranch in Crawford. I have been asked to be there on Wednesday to pick up some items for President #41 and thought you might like to ride along. Don’t know who will be there, couldn’t tell you if I did, and don’t know what to tell you to expect, but at least you could see Crawford and where the ranch is.”

After I caught my breath, I agreed to ride shotgun with him.

Thoughts swirled in my mind, “It’s the day after the Inauguration, there’s no way President Bush will be there. Besides, if he is, he will probably be too busy, or tired, to make an appearance for us. What should I wear?” and on and on.

The four days prior dragged by as slowly as any ever have, but at the scheduled time, Don arrived and we headed for Crawford. Throughout the drive he kept reminding me not to get my hopes up, and each time I assured him that just seeing the ranch would be thrill enough for me.

Arriving at the ranch we went through three Secret Service check points, the last of which advised us to proceed to the house. We joined a few folks standing outside, shook hands, and talked about the weather.

The door opened and out walked a smiling President Bush. He welcomed Don and me and immediately invited us to join him and his friends for lunch; an invitation echoed by Mrs. Bush.

The fact that I was sitting there among this small group of family and friends seemed unreal. I was convinced that this was surely a dream.

I listened to him in awe, this man who only one day before had handed over the reins of his presidency to his successor, as he talked and laughed and made teasing remarks to his friends, his wife, and his daughter. Life, so they say, is all about memories. For me, this dream became a memory of a lifetime. Thank you, Don, for making it a reality.

~~~

Holland is the president of the Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce and is a resident of Tomball.

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Gosh ... the day after leaving D.C., and they look SO great!! We're the ones who're grieving their loss so much and cringing in disbelief at their terrifying replacements. God bless these two splendid folks.

(And I'm really thinking: come back .. come back ... ;(

361 posted on 02/26/2009 9:06:06 PM PST by STARWISE ( They (LIBS-STILL) think of this WOT as Bush's war, not America's war- Richard Miniter))

At our SD tea party tomorrow, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to bring back W's spirit by yelling...

WE HEAR YOU RICK SANTELLI - THE REST OF THE NATION HEARD YOU - AND THOSE THAT DID THIS TO OUR COUNTRY ARE HEARING FROM ALL OF US NOW!!!

I miss W....sooooo much.

362 posted on 02/26/2009 9:11:43 PM PST by NordP (CONSERVATIVE AGAIN IN 2010 ..... Now, is it 2012 yet ???)

Ooooooo...I am SO jealous!!

However, I KNEW that he would take to civilian life again
with gusto! I was sure that he was totally tired of the
DC rat race and back-stabbing!

Thank God for them, and God give them long and happy lives!

363 posted on 02/26/2009 9:17:38 PM PST by luvie (The new Boston Tea Party is here, baby, and it's doused in barbecue sauce..Michelle Malkin)

WOW!

Thanks fir this!

After that stupid thread from last night ans that stupid troll, I have an ugly taste in my mouth until I saw this post here ans the picture.

sanity is always welcomed here! :o)

364 posted on 02/27/2009 4:09:33 AM PST by Pippin

To: LUV W; NordP; STARWISE

"retirement" agrees with them!

But I still miss them!

365 posted on 02/27/2009 4:12:18 AM PST by Pippin

Me, too!

That would be a *thud* moment for sure for that visitor!

366 posted on 02/27/2009 5:53:50 AM PST by luvie (The new Boston Tea Party is here, baby, and it's doused in barbecue sauce..Michelle Malkin)

great! love these tidbits when they come in!

sorry about the assault on your “wedding thread”.. I have given up for over a year, this sort of posting for the similar attacks. I love this sort of pop culture infusion for some relief from regular el crappo.

We here appreciate you!

367 posted on 02/27/2009 6:34:20 AM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)

pippin..this was taken the DAY AFTER he “retired”..but I agree, he looks wonderful as does Laura!

368 posted on 02/27/2009 6:35:17 AM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)

They look so comfortable in that pic!

369 posted on 02/27/2009 7:00:40 AM PST by anniegetyourgun

Yup!

See! What EVEN a DAY can do?

370 posted on 02/27/2009 8:39:58 AM PST by Pippin

And a triple *thud* moment for me :o)

371 posted on 02/27/2009 8:41:10 AM PST by Pippin

Amen, Starwise. I’m glad it was YOU who went, one who has always raised up President Bush and Laura and loved them.

372 posted on 02/27/2009 9:31:59 AM PST by Marysecretary (.GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL)

To: Marysecretary

Oh, it wasn’t I .... ;) I merely posted the story.
If only .............

373 posted on 02/27/2009 8:06:26 PM PST by STARWISE ( They (LIBS-STILL) think of this WOT as Bush's war, not America's war- Richard Miniter))

Thanks again!
They look great as always & tanned & well rested...well earned & well deserved...”Well done,thou good and faithful servant.” s...Pres. B. & F L Laura!!

374 posted on 02/28/2009 10:10:22 AM PST by Majie Purple ( Testing...1,2,3,testing...)

THANK YOU for the ping!!

I really enjoyed this thread. ;-)

375 posted on 02/28/2009 11:12:57 AM PST by Right_in_Virginia

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