HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO GRANDMA AND GRANDPA

1954


Some of the Attendees

The Cake

Opening the Gift

We Love You!

2014

On the Campaign Trail

I don't know that I have a lot to report—most of the campaign trail right now consists of going door to door. Then I hand them some information on me and hope that either the handshake and card are convincing enough to vote for me or that they'll visit my website to learn more. Even though 80% of first time visitors leave after viewing the main page, this allows Google and Facebook to record that they visited and then deliver ads to them. Since the best way to guarantee a win come August is with more people voting than last time, "capturing" voters like this is crucial.

I've only done 77 doors in the past week, which includes houses where no one answered. I'll keep going back though and am planning phone calls later in the season to try and capture houses I've already visited.

Although going door to door can be a real pain, I've come to think of it as important. Even if the resident and I don't have a substantive talk (and few of them want to), it's a part of the job to know the people you're supposed to be representing. It's also important because I've come to view the idea that people are active in politics because they care as inadequate—the barriers to participating in politics are many, from a sense of helplessness or futility about voting or contacting your representative, ignorance of the mechanics of how to vote or how to contact your representative, and so on. Given the reach of modern technology, I think the burden has shifted to representatives to know their constituents, not vice verse. And for those who aren't participating in tech like social media, the best way to reach them is through personal appeals, which is where going door to door plays a vital role.

Fundraising is probably my weakest point. I'm uncomfortable asking for money and bad at planning events that generate funds. The good news is that in a race of this size, where everything can be done on the personal level, money is a force multiplier. So while Brian and Jan have more money to spend, I can invest more time and effort to equalize the field.

And a BIG thanks to the family for visiting me at one of my events—my sand castle building competition only resulted in one new family participating, but the exposure on Facebook can't be underrated.

Post by Chris Givan for Hutch.

May Activities

Here it is almost the end of May.  It seems there has been a lot more activities lately and not as many Dr. appointments.  Thank goodness!!  We have been lucky to have about 2 1/2 inches of rain so far this month and the flowers are beautiful.

 We enjoyed attending the play that Charles was directing at the Theatre Guild.  We also took in Third Thursday activities where Chris had his political booth.  For those of you not in Hutch, Third Thursday of every month is a night to come downtown and visit all the stores and booths that are set up on Main, food, crafts, activities etc.  We charged up Grandpa's scooter and went to check things out.

Last Sunday all the ladies enjoyed a trip to Tanganyki Wildlife Park for Mother's Day.  It was a beautiful day weather wise and it was fun to make the rounds feeding the animals.  The favorite was feeding the lemurs.

Mowing the pasture is another activity that several of us have enjoyed.  So far we have had good weather and only one flat tire

A Few Recent Highlights

Rimsky's perch on the back of the couch

I thought I would start the post with Rimsky, just like our day starts with Rimsky! Recently, he has decided 4:00 AM is the best time to wake us up. Perhaps he feels that the earlier we wake up the more time there is to play before we leave for work :-).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

University Interscholastic League Sweepstakes Trophies

One of the biggest pressures on orchestra directors in Texas is receiving one of these UIL Sweepstakes trophies. As you can see we were able to accomplish that with two of our three orchestras this year! Whew! Each orchestra prepares three concert pieces and also sight-reads a piece. Three judges rate them on stage and three judges rate them in the sight-reading room. The students were so proud (that's really the best part)!

James and co-workers at the Longhorn Run

James trained with his co-workers for the Longhorn Run, a 5K run through campus. I went along to cheer him on. They had a small group of the Longhorn Band at the start and finish lines to get the runners excited! The cannon that fires at the end of each quarter during the football games was there to start the race. Yeah, James!

The newest BBQ we've tried

There are so many amazing barbeque places in Austin right now. We recently tried Micklethwait and can vouch for their pork ribs! They are just down the street from the famous (and still our favorite) Franklin's BBQ.

The high school director visiting as we prep for our spring concert

I don't know if I've ever shown you a picture of the orchestra room at Murchison. This is our varsity orchestra practicing for the spring concert with the Anderson High School director. There really is no room to walk around once all of the students are in there! A good problem to have I guess :-). Our concerts are this coming Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Then one more week of school.



My last day of school is June 6th. James will be in Chicago for a conference at which he is presenting for work. Rimsky and I will be in the car on June 7th on our way to Kansas and then to Chicago (Rimsky's going to stay in KS) to join James. I'll pick up Erik and Samuel on the way through KS and we'll have all the siblings together in Chicago for Andrew's birthday on June 12th! 

The last picture is Rimsky getting used to the car. I've been introducing him slowly. He didn't like driving so much so last time I just sat in the parking lot with him and had my morning cup of coffee while he slowly gained the courage to explore. 

Just as our days start with Rimsky, they also end with Rimsky. He helps us relax after a long day at work, and keeps us smiling. What a blessing!

Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you. Hope to see you soon! Love, Hannah and James

Rimsky getting used to the car