OK, this is how it happened:

Back in November, I applied for a press ticket to the inauguration. I really didn’t think I would get one, since I work for a small newspaper in a small city in the middle of the Midwest. So I pretty much forgot about it.

Then last Friday (Jan. 9), I received an e-mail from the U.S. Senate Press Gallery saying I have a ticket. My mouth dropped and I went into shock.

After I got my bearings, I started planning - really fast - how I would get there and where I would stay. And I had to do it on the cheap. I got very lucky.

One of my co-workers, Laura Gleason, is from the area. She asked her parents and they agreed to let me stay at their house. It’s in Silver Spring, MD, which is really close to DC. All I have to do is get on the metro. Now the metro stop is a mile away from their house, and I'm not the greatest walker, so we’ll see how that goes.

I’m riding with a family who’s also going from here. Jarrod Land is my minister’s brother, and he more than welcomed me to ride along. His daughter, Kristen, and his mother, Judy, are also going.

As of now, I’m planning to pick up my ticket either Sunday or Monday at the Russell Senate Office Building, at Constitution and Delaware avenues. I’m going to a party/gathering with other Dubois County folks on Monday evening (that was just set up by Bob Pfister). And I’m going to a party in Silver Spring Tuesday night with the Gleasons. It’s dressy, so I have to dig waaaaay in the back of my closet to find something to wear. I hope something is there. :-)

I’ve worked out my writing assignments from the jaunt, gathered a list of people from our county that’s going - I’m gladly surprised to learn that there are several - and just established this blog (thanks Daniel!).

i have some scrapbooking I need to get done before I leave. Plus, I’ve still gotta shop, wash, do my hair and pack - all before 8 a.m. tomorrow! Tonight will be a long night.

I’m really looking forward to this. I’ve been to the nation's capital a couple of times before, but this will be my first inauguration. And the historic nature of this one makes it even more special.