Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion
What are U doing today?
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Tues. Jan. 20, 2009 - Inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States
Did you see Barack and Michelle visiting George and Laura Bush at the White House a few minutes ago, Becky? They're having "coffee" right now! So am I! LOL
I wonder what was in that square white box wrapped with a ribbon, which Michelle handed to Laura... Freihofer's coffee cake? (lol)
Jackie Kennedy wore white at JFK's inauguration. Michelle is wearing beige. Smart!Biden's wife is wearing a red coat! Poor choice, IMO. Looks like she's trying to upstage Michelle. I know that's silly... but it did occur to me.
P.S. OTOH, I wore sequins at my son's wedding! (g) Didn't mean to go over the top as a MIL, but it was the only outfit which fit well. (g)
P.S. Perhaps we might call the color of Michelle's dress "champagne". How fitting! Did I detect some subtle beading or sequins? Perfect!!!PPS-Laura Bush in light blue... apropos as usual.
They're on their way (to the inauguration stand)... I'm watching the motorcade. I'm watching MSNBC... love the conversation they're having, commenting on what's happening. (Chris Mathews, Keith Olberman, Rachel Maddow, etc.) They sure know their history!
Comments heard:Ted Kennedy... "Lion of the Senate" ... "in a Don Corleone hat" (g)
Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "P.S. Perhaps we might call the color of Michelle's dress "champagne". How fitting! Did I detect some subtle beading or sequins? Perfect!!!PPS-Laura Bush in light blue... apropos as usual."
They are calling it maize....LOL
& I am OK with Jill wearing red...
I heard them say it was maize but I see a greenish tint so maybe in person it would be more of a yellow/green....
Words heard today:Obama:
"We are the keepers of its legacy."
"We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
Poet, Elizabeth Alexander:
"I need to see what's on the other side."
Thanks,Becky.About the color maize:
Wiki:
"The color maize, in the English language, usually refers to a color that is similar to yellow; it is named for the cereal of the same name—maize. In public usage, maize can be applied to a variety of shades, ranging from light yellow to a dark shade that borders on orange."
Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "Thanks,Becky.About the color maize:
Wiki:
"The color maize, in the English language, usually refers to a color that is similar to yellow; it is named for the cereal of the same name—maize. In pub..."
Yeah-it doesn't look like maize to be...too much green in it
Becky wrote: "I am OK with Jill wearing red..."Then you would be OK with my sequins. (g)
Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "I wonder what was in that square white box wrapped with a ribbon, which Michelle handed to Laura... Freihofer's coffee cake? (lol)"what does one give the out going first lady ?
Becky wrote: "what does one give the out going first lady ?"Hmmm... a good book to read on the beach?
Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "Becky wrote: "I am OK with Jill wearing red..."Then you would be OK with my sequins. (g)"
I am OK with sequins LOL
Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "What would YOU give the outgoing first lady, Becky?Hmmm... a good book to read on the beach?"
Ummm, maybe .....do you think someone guides them on these things??
Observed: Obama is left-handed!I just noticed that as he signed his first document as President.
“The right half of the brain controls the left half of the body. This means that only left handed people are in their right mind.”
-Anonymous
Designer of the dress Michelle is wearing(which I have now heard it be called-pale yellow)http://www.couturelab.com/browse/D83....
Becky wrote: "Designer of the dress Michelle is wearing(which I have now heard it be called-pale yellow)"http://www.couturelab.com/browse/D83.......
Thanks, Becky. I wonder what it cost.
See the transcript of Barack Obama's Inaugural Address: ====>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/st...
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Excerpt:
"For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn."
Note: The Battle of Khe Sanh was one of the Vietnam War's largest setpiece battles (1968).
See more at: http://www.answers.com/topic/siege-of...
I HAD to look that up. I wonder how many people knew that. I guess I should have known but I didn't. The only caisson I knew was from the song: "The Caissons Go Rolling Along". See and hear it at: http://www.brownielocks.com/armytheme...
Edmund L. Gruber was the author of the stirring Field Artillery march "The Caissons Go Rolling Along" (1908), which was popularized by John Philip Sousa. Gruber wrote this famous field artillery song when he was a lieutenant in the Fifth Field Artillery in the Philippines.
Above from: http://www.bragg.army.mil/History/Com...
A caisson is a two-wheeled military vehicle carrying artillery ammunition.
Becky wrote:"Ummm, maybe .....do you think someone guides them on these things??
I'm sure there are all kinds of guides and helpers behind the scenes. I wonder how many books are written about this.
I was fascinated when I read Paul Burrell's _A Royal Duty_ and _The Way We Were Remembering Diana_. I love reading stories about happenings behind the scenes, as only can be told by those who are personal helpers .
Thanks for posting that, Joy. He talks pretty. Let's hope he's more effective than Carter, who also talked nicely.
Jim wrote: "Thanks for posting that, Joy. He talks pretty. Let's hope he's more effective than Carter, who also talked nicely."Obama writes pretty too, Jim. I partially read _Dreams from My Father_ and was impressed by his articulateness and beautiful way with words. I haven't yet read _The Audacity of Hope Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream_. I'm not a fan of serious nonfiction, although I've enjoyed some of it in the past, especially biographies like _John Adams_.
Becky, here are two pics of me in my sequins at our son's wedding: ====>http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL25/9...
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL25/9...
It was an outfit from I. Magnin. The company no longer exists. I was lucky to find it in a bridal specialty shop downstate. I had just retired and moved upstate and things were upside down when I had to shop for a dress for the wedding. When I put this outfit on I knew it was the one because it covered my tummy so well. (g)
OMG! Barack and Michelle have gotten out of the car and are walking down PA Ave. My heart is in my mouth. Lord keep him safe.
I see they had the girls stay in the car...
Becky wrote: "I see they had the girls stay in the car..."Thank goodness!
Too bad about Sen. Kennedy being carried out of the luncheon. Hope he'll be OK. Such excitement! I see he's awake now and answering questions.
Can't wait to see Michelle's ballgown. Aren't I shallow? (g) Well, after all... we're talking fashion here. It's a billion dollar business.
Poor Ted-both he & Sen Bird had health issues....I too am looking forward to the gowns!!
Lord knows what Doctor Biden will wear!I know... sequins!!!! (lol)
I think Dr Biden is a very pretty woman, I am sure she will look lovely in just about anything....They look cold right now!!
Becky wrote: "They look cold right now!!" I hope they don't get sick. (That's the mother in me talking.)
Yes, Jill is very pretty. But does she have to be so young-looking? LOL
(Oh, to be young again.)
Here's an interesting webpage about Michelle's dress:http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/...
Headline:Michelle Obama wears $1,500 Isabel Toledo shift on Inauguration Day
Excerpts:
The new first lady kicked off Inauguration Day ... donning a pale yellow wool lace Isabel Toledo shift with matching overcoat...
Green pumps, a diamond brooch and diamond studs completed the stylishly eclectic-yet-elegant ensemble which, next to Laura Bush's simple grey double-breasted pantsuit and charcoal heels, marked a visual example that change is a'coming to Washington. ...
The outfit "was made for Michelle with extra warm linings sewn into the (innerlinings) that she wouldn't freeze..." Toledo's husband told the Daily News.
I feel like I want to say "congratulations, America - it's a President!"I fear the view from this side of the Atlantic is that you haven't really had one for a few years.... Hope I haven't offended anyone, but I feel such a sense of relief every time I see Barack's face on the TV instead of George W.
Great speech.
Sue
Thank you, Sue. Isn't it great the way Barack Obama inspires confidence! He has so many wonderful qualities. We're lucky to have him as our president.
From ABC News:"Upon arriving at the White House, this morning Michelle Obama presented Mrs. Bush with a gift. It was a pen and journal for her memoirs."
See more at: http://blogs.abcnews.com/liveblogging...
Thanks Joy.....Sue, no hurt feelings from me!!
Thanks Joy for this discussion! What a fitting gift for Michelle Obama to present Laura Bush! Ahhh... :)
Cindy wrote: "Thanks Joy for this discussion! What a fitting gift for Michelle Obama to present Laura Bush! Ahhh... :)"Your welcome, Cindy. I read somewhere that this is the first time a gift was offered by an incoming first lady to an outgoing first lady. The article said it showed how thoughtful Michelle Obama is. Michelle seems so genuine and authentic. She's easy to like.
About the inaugural fashionsMichelle Obama's gown was described in various ways:
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"an ivory silk chiffon gown, embellished with organza and Swarovski crystal rhinestones and silver thread embroidery" designed by Jason Wu."
"white, one-shoulder chiffon gown with a fitted bodice and covered with fluffy appliqués and beading, set off by sparkly shoulder-sweeping earrings."
"fluffy, many-layered gown.... The dress had a one-shoulder strap and was flecked with organza flowers and crystals."
"white chiffon, one-shoulder gown covered in fluffy appliques and beading"
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Michelle's day outfit was also described in various ways:
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"an unusual gold-yellow color" ... "lemongrass"
"Toledo said she chose the lemongrass color for the optimism it represents."
"Michelle’s yellow suit, with matching coat, was too short. It was all about her knees. We watched them all day long. Knees aren’t the most attractive part of the baby boomers body. Her skirt should have been below her knee."
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I agree.
Below are comments I found about Jill's Biden's fashions:=====================================================
"red strapless (very flowy) gown"
"I wasn't impressed with Dr.Jill Biden's day wear... ugh ... The length of both the dress and coat with high boots was a fashion faux pas."
From: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01...
"... veep wife Jill Biden certainly tried to make her mark on this historic day by wearing a bright red Fluerette coat, short menswear plaid Milly dress and tall black boots. Some are saying a) the skirt was too short and b) the boots are too sexy for such a conservative event."
From: http://fashion.about.com/b/2009/01/20...
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I agree.
Below are the websites where I found various quotes about the fashions:=================================
http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyl...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/us/...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28761010/
http://digital-copper.info/jill-biden...
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PS-Below are links to websites about Jill Biden's Strapless Red Ball Gown with photos:
http://fashion.about.com/b/2009/01/20...
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/debs...
Fashion headline for Hillary:"Senator Hillary Clinton looks stately, but dated"
I'm afraid it's true. See pic at: ====>
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/debs...
What the writer at the above website doesn't realize is that it's hard not to look dowdy when you're short and a bit over-weight.
Mmmmmm, I like this picture of Barack and Michelle dancing at the ball! ====>http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/debs...
This pic shows Michelle's gown to best advantage. And I love the way he's looking at her. I used to enjoy seeing Jackie and JFK as a couple. Of course they were stunning, but I think Barack and Michelle have them beat when it comes to warmth. They are so cute together!
Phew...that was a long day!! I could tell by the last ball that Michelle was starting to droop!Back to your wonderful reviews that you posted Joy-I do have to disagree with the person who said something about Michelle's dress being too short-I am shocked by that-at no time did I see her knees( I went back & looked at pictures), unless that reviewer was watching her get in & out of a car!! If that dress had been any longer I think it would have gone from chic to dowdy & I think she would have had a hard time getting in & out of the car.....
Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "Below are comments I found about Jill's Biden's fashions:=====================================================
"red strapless (very flowy) gown"
"I wasn't impressed with Dr.Jill Biden's day wear...."
It looks to me that Jill Biden knows she looks good in red & she has an awesome figure & I am sure can wear practically anything. Her coat & boots were adorable but at her age, I wouldn't think a woman would want to look adorable LOL!!!
Becky wrote: "If that dress had been any longer I think it would have gone from chic to dowdy..."In a way, I know what you mean, Becky. Michelle Obama is so tall that a longer dress might not have been complimentary. But, as I watched her walking and coming down the steps, I kept saying to myself, that her legs look a bit bowed... and maybe the skirt could be just a bit longer and end more below her knee line, but not too far below.
Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group
Books mentioned in this topic
John Adams (other topics)The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (other topics)
The Way We Were: Remembering Diana (other topics)
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance (other topics)
A Royal Duty (other topics)
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