I had an interesting time trying to vote today and not just because I had a rambuctous 10 month old with me. I have lived at my current address since March 2004 and have voted in every election since then at the old Grantville school which is now city hall/police headquarters/the library/the senior center (hey, if it'll all fit in, why not?). As I tell this story keep in mind that I voted at the same location in the primaries back in July.
Andy went and voted on his way to work and called and told me it took about 2 hours, but the line was shorter than when he got in it so I decided Aiden and I should go before lunch. We drove up and parked at the Dollar General and I got the stroller out, loaded Aiden up, and hiked back up the hill. This was about 11 am and the line was about where Andy had said it was. I had my picture ID, the line was moving fairly quickly, and Aiden was sleepy and being very good and I thought it was going to go smoothly. Well, about an hour into the line we make it inside the building and Aiden has had enough of the stroller so I took him out and let him stand and push the stroller so he was momentarily happy again. He had some snacks and juice, but was getting fussier and wanted to be held by the time we got to the door. I filled out my little sheet one-handed and proceeded to the little ladies with the computer. One of them put in my name and got a funny look on her face and asked it I was ever registered under another name so I gave her my maiden name but the funny look was still on her face. She said, "I have Dennis." I said, "Yes, that's my husband. I'm Amanda." Still the look, then she called someone else over and had them check "the book." No Amanda Zimmerman. I told them I had just voted there during the primaries. The woman with the book took my name, DOB, SS#, and driver's license number and called someone while I tried desperately to hold a squirming child. I finally gave up and put him down, so now there is giant 10 month old running around the polling place trying to steal the workers's bottles of soda. The book lady called me over and told me that I was still registered in Paulding County. I said, "What do you mean still registered?" I proceeded to tell her that was impossible because I had never lived there and didn't even know where that was. Again, I reiterated that I had voted in that very room in the primaries. She called back, gave my info again, then looking right at me told whoever was on the phone that I was swearing up and down I had never lived in Dallas. The look on her face told me she thought I was lying. She hung up and told me there was nothing she could do so I went home and called the Secretary of State's office.
I told them my story and they asked if the book lady had let me vote on a provisional ballot and I said no. They told me I could drive the 74 miles to the precinct I was registered at or I could go back and do a provisional ballot. I had no intentions of doing either at that moment. They also told me I could file a complaint and that it would be investigated. I asked if they could tell me when this change had occurred and they told me 9/17/2008. They also gave me the address that I supposedly lived at in Dallas, GA. They said someone would get in touch with me in 24 hours. Well, within 24 minutes someone called with some follow up questions and moments after that call someone else called from the "team handling my complaint." I was glad to see they were taking it so seriously. The second person told me she really needed me to go back to the Grantville precinct and vote on a provisional ballot if I could. Aiden was in dire need of a nap at this point, but it was about 3:30 and I wanted to get there before 5 if I was going so we loaded up and off we went again (thankfully the stroller was still in the trunk). This time I parked behind the building and the line wasn't nearly as long. I reclined Aiden's seat and it wasn't too long before he was mercifully asleep. Well before I even got to the door Book Lady saw me coming and started sighing. I explained that I had talked to the Sec of State's office and about the complaint and how they wanted me to do the provisional ballot. Well apparently, the state doesn't run things in Coweta county and just because I had talked to "the state department" didn't mean I could do a provisional ballot. She had to call and get permission from Joan (whoever Joan is) for me to do that. I calmly explained that I knew my vote might not be counted but that the people from the Sec of State's office just needed it on record. Well, she finally gets permission after making it sound like I went over their heads by calling the state department. I tried to explain that it seemed like someone had fraudulently changed my address and had my SS#, driver's license number and birth date and that was what I was concerned about, but I don't think she got it. She just started handing my forms to fill out. Aiden woke up screaming bloody-murder about halfway through the forms which was a nice touch. One of the forms was a change of address form. It asked for the previous address registered and I told them that I couldn't remember the address they told me was registered and I swear to you the woman looked at me and said, "You can't remember the address you moved from?" Thank goodness I was holding Aiden because I almost lost it. Instead, I calmly (albeit through gritted teeth) told her I had never changed the address in the first place. Finally she hands me the ballot that I now have to fill out with a pen, again one handed because Aiden is now latched onto me. I can no longer feel my left arm at all and he is very interested in tearing apart the cardboard around the booth I'm trying to vote in. After I finally get all the circles filled in (without dropping him), I had to fold it up and put it in a white envelop and then put it in an orange envelop and fill out the outside of that envelop. Good luck doing that with one hand! All total Aiden and I spent about 3 1/2 - 4 hours voting. Aiden was very good for most of it, bless his little heart. I really want to know if someone showed up in Dallas to vote as me. Maybe I'll find out. I did a reverse address look up on the address and it is a real address. I'm considering calling and asking for myself, but I think I'll check my credit report first. What an experience!
Aiden's Nanny is getting him this chair for his birthday.
Checking out the price tag.... Did he bring his wallet?
He had to play a little ball before school in his "uniform."
The wind-up. Look out because we're still working on the release point.
This was after school with the anti-skid socks Memaw found.
Take the remote and run!
Aiden has gotten the hang of his "winter gear." He doesn't mind wearing his little hat most of the time and he looks absolutely adorable in it! Here are a few pictures Mom and Dad took Monday with him. As you can see he is really into hugging right now. He is so strong he can give you a really good hug too. It is so sweet-- I hope he doesn't out-grow this stage anytime soon!
It is hard to believe that Aiden will be one finger old next month, but it is fitting since pointing is one of his favorite things to do. When he's sitting still (which isn't very often) he even sits there with his little pointer finger ready just in case there is something worth pointing out. He has grown into quite the little man. He has just about mastered walking although he still ends up on his tushy now and then. He is also quite the little thinker. He likes to watch everything and takes it all in. I think he gets that from his dad. He says a few things now when he wants to. Dog, uh-oh, paw-pa, oo-oo (for Julio the cat who I call ju-ju), da-da and dad-ee (depending on how badly he needs his father), ma-ma is usually reserved for extreme emergencies are the main ones. Another skill recently mastered is pulling on his mother's pant leg and grunting which means, "up, please." He is working on learning how to pet the cats without leaving them with a bald spot-- its pretty much hit or miss. Thanks to his father he thinks hitting himself (and others) in the head with an empty drink bottle is hysterical. It is pretty funny to watch him walk through the house hitting himself in the head and laughing though. The biggest problem is that he tries it with other objects as well. Let me tell you it's not quite as funny with the remote or the cordless phone because this kid is incredible strong and he isn't just tapping you with that remote, he's whacking you! Well, that's just a taste of what we've been up to, but hopefully it helps you get to know Aiden a little better. Here are some pictures we took today.
Look out, he's armed....
He still has 6 teeth, 2 on bottom, 4 on top.
Still armed, excuse the dog claw marks.
There's the Hulk face. He was playing with leaves in between rain showers.
And there's the pointer finger. "Leaf."
In the corner surrounded by his toys.
Aiden playing guitar
Aiden and Papaw at nap time.
A couple of pictures of Aiden reading
And here are a few of Aiden and Boss playing
(That's Boss's food bin. I guess he doesn't want Aiden getting his food)
Playing patty-cake, "roll it round"
"throw it in the pan"
Reading with Granpa.
I dusted off this 4th of July picture of Aiden for our Veteran's Day tribute. The flag he is posing with flew with Andy's grandfather, Harold Zimmerman, on a merchant marine ship. We didn't want to let this day go by without thanking the brave and loyal men and women who have served and are currently serving their country so that we might enjoy all of its freedoms. This includes both of Aiden's grandfathers, Joe Zimmerman, Air Force and Mike Roberson, Army. May God continue to bless the USA.
