Melissa gets to be a page this week for the WA state House of Reps. She goes to work at 7:45 a.m. and finishes at 5 p.m. Some of her duties include giving the Reps. notes while they are on the floor, going to page school to learn all about the legislative process and delivering supplies. House pages are not allowed to use the elevators and she has to do lots of walking and climbing stairs. You have to be 14 and can't be older than 17. They have to wear black pants and a white shirt, with the black jacket being provided.
There are all kinds of other rules, too, but I don't know what they all are. I know there is a certain way they have to deliver the notes on the desks of the Reps and they can only address the Reps as Representative (last name) and never the first name. Even the children or relatives of the Reps have to do this.
With Ray working at the capital, this is something she has really looked forward to. This is her first year, she has been an honorary page before going for a half day, but not a regular page. She works for the whole week and even gets paid - a little more than $200 for the week. It also has been more exciting because last year and this year we have been housing pages, now she knows firsthand what they go through.
It is a special privilege to be able to carry the flags in right before they open for the day. (It helps that her dad works there) This is what she got to do yesterday. I recorded channel 23 (the local government channel) to be able to watch her and they only showed the senate side that morning.. grr. This is her and a fellow page on the House floor with the flags for the day's opening ceremony.
I love this one because he is concentrating and making a ......
We painted a light grey in the bathroom. We painted a couple of months ago and still haven't put a second coat on. Someday I'll post the final project finished.....
Before the ugly bathroom cabinets and UGLY knobs...
