"If you have kids, you know that telling your spouse that they can go spend a week away from home is actually a big present," said Jay Carney, the White House press secretary.
     According to various reports, the first lady stays with her close female friends at Oprah Winfrey estate at Hawaii.  As the Daily Caller suggests, Valerie Jarrett, a senior White House adviser, and Gayle King, a television presenter and close friend of Winfrey, accompany Michelle on her solo vacations.
     Oprah once said of her Hawaii home that she had "never encountered anyone who doesn't love it ... we sip drinks inspired by whatever is fresh and delicious - mango, guava, pineapple, cucumber, basil.  We sometimes ride horses to the top (of the mountain) to watch the moon rise over the ridge".
     We could rejoice over a Mrs. Obama blissful escape.  Yet, the question remains: what will we see at Michelle’s birthday?  Are the divorce rumors true?
     As the Sunday Times reports, the president’s enemies will use any hint of the discrepancy between the two and, of course, of excessive birthday party spendings as evidence of presidential extravagance.
     Yet, the invitation letters were signed "EBYC" at the end ("eat before you come" to the party.)
     Either way, the first lady will be aware her every public move will be watched for signs of marital discord.  The betting in Washington is that the Obamas will display nothing of the sort, and that Michelle's 50th birthday will be marked with plenty of love and laughter.
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