Among the more serious issues facing President Elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters, there is the matter of adding their personal touch to one of our great historic monuments, the White House.  How this will be done is something that, so far, is left to our imagination.  There is a lot of speculation out there, but it will be interesting, in the theme of CHANGE that has been so important to Obama’s campaign, to see what kind of change will take place in the White House.

When the Obama’s move from their Chicago home to the White House, they will bring with them a diversity within their own family that is a great change. Will it be reflected in the way that they decorate, and how will it show in the art that they chose do decorate the walls?

It must be an extremely great honor to be the first black and multi-racial family to be President and to live in the White House, will the variety in their backgrounds, and the places they and their past family members have lived be reflected in the canvas art that is chosen?

I was browsing around at a site called mywhitewalls.com, and using my imagination a bit, wondering what “whitewalls” might have to offer the “White House”? I enjoy art, my son works in the art field, my husband’s parents went to the Art Institute in Chicago, my sister has a degree in Art, and my Aunt and Uncle went to Pratt Institute in New York. So it was a natural to browse this site, and I noticed that their shipping is free, anything free these days is helpful with our present economy.

Keep your eyes out for news on how the new First Lady, Michelle Obama, will decorate her new home, and do share if you already have some inside info that I’m missing.

My husband and I were enjoying a peaceful Saturday morning, when I downloaded my email late in the morning and received a CNN email alert that Tony Snow had passed from here to heaven at about 2 am (they didn’t say it that way, but I’m sure that’s where he is.) It was a blow to read this, hubby and I have appreciated Tony for many reasons over the years.

We were both so excited when he became President Bush’s White House Press Secretary, and sorry when he had to step down. He was able to keep a positive demeanor in every situation we saw him in. My husband sent an email to Snow when he was recuperating quite a while back letting him know he was prayed for, because we knew Tony Snow to be a man of prayer and faith. He received an email reply that was written in a personal way, we like to think Tony Snow took the time to reply himself in spite of his busy life, but whether he needed help to respond or not, it was a warm and gracious response.

Our prayers are now for the family he leaves behind, his wife, and I believe a son and two daughters. In my thinking, he was too young to die, but he is in God’s wonderful care now, whole, perfect, how can you wish one back from that? Still, we will miss him.

Kathleen Battle is the woman with the beautiful voice that sang “The Lord’s Prayer” a few days ago on the White House Lawn for Pope Benedict, and the crowds present.

Kathleen, if you are ever searching and find your way here, thank you! Why you may ask? Because most of my visitors over the past few days have been people searching your name, they are looking for you! Not Barack Obama, not Hillary Clinton, not John McCain, but Kathleen Battle.

I wish you all the best, and if you find your way here, do say hello!

Claudia

I am sitting here watching what is really quite a celebration in Washington DC on the South Lawn of the White House. It is a picture perfect day, there are at least 10,000 singing happy birthday to the Pope Benedict lead by Kathleen Battle right now, both the pope and the President have spoken. Kathleen Battle sang the Lord’s Prayer beautifully, powerful words, we should take time to reflect on each phrase daily.

Our Father, Which Art in Heaven, Hollowed Be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory forever, Amen.

I would like to be a fly on the wall listening to the discussion between the Pope and the President. I know there are many things they agree on, but also know the Vatican wasn’t keen on the idea of our getting involved in the War, still, the Pope supports us as a Nation, and loves America.

Washington really did a beautiful job of welcoming a great man, and God showed the beauty of his Creation with the spectacular weather. I am not a Roman Catholic myself, but appreciate many of the views that the Pope shares, and hope his visit to our Country will bless him as much as he blesses us.

Christmas Day has come to a close, I’m ready to go to bed, but just had to check in and see what the President and his Scottish Terrier, Barney have been up to.

President Bush called 10 different troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world Christmas Eve. He also extended wishes to leaders of various Nations. The President spent Christmas at Camp David.

These are all wonderful things, but my favorite fun treat from Whitehouse.gov is the Presidential dog, Barney. This year, the Barney video (there is quite a collection of them now at the White House website) features Barney in the National Parks. He is as cute as ever and full of his usual mischief.

Head on over to any of the live links, and click on the little Barney image in the upper right….1/5/07 Update…I went to the site, and it’s hard to find the Barney link now that the holidays are over, but I found it, click here! Barney and Miss Beazley are always sure to bring a smile to your face.

And while you’re there, catch up on all our busy President has been trying to accomplish.