It is only a matter of days before we see the United States presidential switch…it will be; out with the old and, in with the new moving day done in style. This is quite an ordeal for the White House staff…the transition must be accomplished within a matter of about 6 hours; during the swearing in ceremony, and all that goes along with it. Before all of that begins, the current President and his wife have a traditional sit down tea with the incoming President and his wife.
Did you ever stop to think about the quick transition that the actual living quarters must go through during this time period? The way that i understand it, the furniture and personal belongings must be swapped out…from one presidential family, to the next.
There are only two elevators to handle the workers in charge of the ebb and flow of the personal belongings of each family. This is no easy task. For when the new leadership steps into the residence for the first time after the switch…it is to appear as if it is home; for that is what it will be, their new home for the next four years.
Just this past week it was announced that Barack Obama’s mother in law, Marian Robinson, will be moving in with the new first family. Wow…that was a surprise.
Although his mother -in- law took off time to help with the grandchildren during the presidential campaign…I don’t think that too many people thought that she would be moving into the White House, once the family took residence. I am sure that this will be a wonderful thing for Malia and Sasha to have their grandmother right there with them. It will help to ease their transition to a new life and all of the personal changes that will go along with that change. Living in the family quarters, I am sure can be lonely for children of the President. Having Grandma Marian there will be a wonderful gift for the family.
On the other hand, there will be those who question who pays for her stay. I could be wrong…but, it seems to me that I remember a news program once talking about a previous presidency and how the first family pays for all of their own food ,and such, when they are eating in residence. Of course, that doesn’t include all of those big public dinners that Presidents and their families are required to endure.
It is going to take some time for things to settle down after this transfer of power takes place. How long will it take before the White House feels like home to the new first family do you think? I know every time i have moved in the past it took a good couple of weeks before i felt like i wasn’t staying in someone else’s home. If some comfort can be found it will be a blessing in the early days as I am sure it will take quite a bit of time to get used to the loss of privacy that this new phase of life will require.
Write where you are 
Yes, out with the old and in with new.
I think it’s good that President-elect Obama mother-in-law is moving in. She is the only grandparent his children have alive. I’m not surprise, she been taking care of then for almost two years.
One thing I really don’t understand about this country is that we do not treasury our old people. It’s like we cannot wait until they get old or the minute they start acting a little different, so we can put then in a nursery room. Children should have a relationship with there grandparent it’s so much they can learn from they, and it’s a way that thing is past on to the next generation. She has to be million time better than a babysitter.
I had a very good relationship with my grandmother, I learn so much from her, it’s something I will never forget. My sons did not had that. I believe they really missed out.
As far who is going to pay for the grandmother living in the White House. I think most people will look at her as being part of the family. That’s what she is.
Moving day for the First Family may be an ordeal but it’s not like the process is for ‘regular folks’.
I did hear, however, that in the interest of cost savings, they might be using “U-Haul One”. That sounds SO UN-Presidential!
Do you suppose they will shed some of the stuff they have accumulated in their Chicago home?
Maybe THEIR people will help OUR people when we take up a new residence soon. . . The big difference will be that OUR move will not be under the same scrutiny as the Obamas’ NOR will a mother-in-law be involved!
Grins and Giggles and GLEE for a new President,
Connie