Hello readers!!
After I logged off yesterday, I realized I forgot my funny story!!
It's election time in Virginia. They are electing themselves a new mayor. The posters are littered all over yards, and on every available wall space. I get tired of it; I love the election process, but how we go about it is just tiresome - from the commercials to the very un-green posters that litter the areas. When we were get off the metro, we saw diligent workers, trying to get votes. We just really tried to ignore them, because it doesn't involve us.
The following day, we were in a rush to get to the Pentagon. We were rushing past all the campaign workers when someone stopped Mark about the race for governor. His reply: "We don't live here, we're tourists". And he hadn't gone another 3 feet when someone already had his hand out to shake it, I think it must have been one of the candidates and he says to Mark, "Your tourist? Have fun!".
I almost didn't make the metro because I was laughing so hard. Yup. We're tourists. LOL!!! At least we didn't have our cameras around our necks!!
Day three of our vacation took us to Mount Vernon. We decided to take the riverboat out, and that was around 10:30 (we got to sleep in until 7 - woo hoo!!). This was the longest trip on the Metro we'd taken so far. Luckily, I brought a book, and got a couple chapters in between stops. We make it to the dock, and it starts to drizzle. Not a good sign. But, "it'll be fine", I keep reassuring myself. The riverboat takes about 50 minutes to get to Mount Vernon. While onboard, you can buy a bag of popcorn or a can of soda for $2. No thanks.
We get to Mount Vernon, and we trek all around. It was quite interesting. Turns out that President Washington inherited a small house, and was able to add on starting with the second level, then moving out to the east and west for a total of 21 bedrooms. The rooms were not very big, although they were thought to be at the time. I think maybe they were size of my brother's room, growing up, without the closet. The Washingtons entertained quite frequently, as they were very popular, and they hadn't invented the Hilton Honors program yet.
Did you know that President Washington was offered the kingship twice? And both times he turned them down?
Did you know that he and Martha never had children together? When he married her, she was a wealthy widow with two children, whom he raised as his own - as well as their grandchildren.
Did you know that they were married for 40 years? He spent 8 years away from Mount Vernon during his presidency, and she would go visit him every December through February. Once home to his beloved Mount Vernon, he only got to live there for 2 years before he died.
And did you know that he died from a throat infection? The way the curator described it, it sounded like tonsilitis, because his throat was swollen. He died 36 hours after he was diagnosed.
And did you know that Martha was so heartbroken, she couldn't sleep in the room after his death? How amazing is that??
Our first president was an amazing man, with an amazing history. I won't bore you all with the mundane, nerdy details, but Mark and I learned (and walked) a lot. I did get to see his dentures, but I didn't agree with Brianna's assessment that they were "cool". The were made of hippo bone, human teeth, and bronze. I thought it was kinda gross.
The weather never did clear up. It thought about it for a second, but it was raining by the time we caught the metro back to the hotel. What I found most beautiful about Mount Vernon were the trees. Again with the reminder of fall. We were walking down a path, and there were leaves all over the ground. My mom would decorate our house for every holiday, and during the fall, she had paper fall leaves that looked almost real, that we would put around the house. I was reminded that these weren't fake - that there are parts of the country that have these seasons, where leaves turn colors. It's just such an array of color, it's amazing. I love watching it.
Tomorrow should prove to be a cold day, but I think we'll start our hop on, hop off tour of DC. We've got lots and lots to cover while we're here. Still need to go see all the monuments. Good thing we have 3 more days!
Does anyone want anything while we are here?
Love and hugs to all!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
DC: Day 2
Before I start with out with our daily adventures, it's important for you, the reader, to understand the level of geek that you are dealing with. I was so excited to get to attend the White House that I started putting White House movies on my Netflix queue. I'm such a geek that I ordered a 4 disk set of the history of the White House. Yes, you read that right, 4 discs. How much could they talk about in 4 discs? Well, we'd need a couple hours, but basically you get to see a bunch of tours, and history of the White House. I'm the one who would collect White House trading cards of the White House families, were they available. That is the level of geek you are about to read. So keep that in mind when as you complete the blog!
All that being said, I've decided that God wanted me to attend the White House. I say that because several events occurred wherein I should have been deterred. But the proverbial window was opened. First, I called a few weeks before our visit, and was told the Congressman's office had lost our paperwork (EEEEEEKKK!!!). Never fear, Super Mark had a copy that he could easily find, and we were able to send it in on time. Whew.. crisis averted. Second, I had to pick a day and time when to visit the Pentagon. We had to pick the time before we knew what day we got to the White House. For whatever reason, I picked Friday at 9 am. I just crossed my fingers and prayed we didn't get the White House tour at the same time. Once our WH tour came in, we found it was on the same day but at 12. Plenty of time for both, and with both we couldn't bring cameras and all that. So, that just really worked out. And last, we arrived off the metro with no maps - see more explanation below - and yet there was someone who saw us wandering, and asked if we needed a help, did we need a map? "YES to both", plus he gave us directions. So see, God wanted us to see the White House today. :)
Our adventure starts out with a conversation last night on our adventure home, with our shuttle driver. We asked him about getting a shuttle that was off the schedule. "No problem", he assured us. Fast forward to this morning. Mark calls to confirm our shuttle schedule and the response he gets is, "No guarantees, but we'll try".
Hmmmm. That does not get my warm fuzzies brewing. We have a 9 am appointment at the Pentagon, didn't he know that? So down to breakfast we go, our hopes still high. In walks the driver.
"No way. It's rush hour".
WHAAT? It's what? Rush Hour? Really? Are you kidding me?? But we have an appointment at the Pentagon! (Sidebar - like my good friend Erika, I don't like people who put monkey wrenches in my plan. I prefer to make a plan and stick to it. Veering outside the plan can be accommodated sometimes, but this is most definitely NOT one of those times). Panic is setting in. I plant myself at the desk, ready to raise the stink my mom has shown me how to raise so effectively. I am preparing for the argument of my day. And what do I get? "Don't worry about it. I'll take you myself."
I have just fallen in love with Jose at the front desk (and ladies he did look single, although I'm not sure why).
Jose did in fact take us to the metro station. Crisis averted. Again. We tipped him quite well, as well we should have, for he saved our day. The jerk driver wouldn't take us, so Jose did (at the end of our day, I did seek out the hotel manager, singing Jose's praises, and how much we loved him, and how he saved our day - because that is what you do. I'm not sure if he was saved from my fit, or I was saved from giving it, but all around everyone came out a winner).
We made it to the Pentagon. We had Senior Airman (I forget how to abbreviate that) Aaron give us the tour. We walked for about a mile all through the Pentagon. He was super informative, and we had a great time. Probably the most moving was the 9/11 memorial. To see how far the plane penetrated to the walls of the Pentagon was awe-inspiring. Many conspiracy theorist argue that it was a missile that went into the Pentagon and not a plane. However Airman Aaron told us that jet fuel burns at a higher temperature, which melts steels, hence no plane. I wish we could have taken photos, because there is so much to see there. But of course they don't allow that, due to the evil that is still very real in our world.
Onward to the White House. We found it with only a bit of difficulty. You see, because we were attending tours at both the Pentagon and the WH, and neither allowed cameras or electronic devices or bags of any kind in, we were essentially naked. No cell phones, no iPod with the map and , no bag with our maps or Erika's tour guide book or to provide us with something to hold everything in. Nothing. Just our two forms of ID and credit cards. I tell ya, we got through security with a snap because we read our directions. I saw some poor sap at the gates of the White House because he had to hold a couple purses. Should've read your emails specifically stating that they wouldn't be allowed.
We got in to the White House. To be honest, as I walked through the East Wing, it was all I could do to not burst in to tears. It was absolutely overwhelming. These are the halls that our Presidents and their families wander. These are the halls that hold our history. We walked past the offices of the East Wing into a hallway. At the entrance were portraits of past presidents: Wilson, Truman, Roosevelt. Up a ramp and a slight turn we came down another corridor. This one had photos of different events, including our current administration. One collage was of presidential pets, one of the Easter Egg Roll, still another collage of inaugurations.
I'm going to stop here because Mark and I owe our Moms a small thanks in how they raised us. Specifically, to think of others. We didn't crowd the photos or get in front of others. We stayed back so everyone could see. Not so with young rebels in front of us (pierced and making fun of the photos). They crowded in front of the photo collages, pointing and touching, and just generally monopolizing the area. Grrr.. The downfall of self guided tours. So help me when I heard the snide comment about Nancy Reagan, who was digging a hole for a magnolia tree - I almost lost it. But, I controlled myself. If I were to be arrested at the White House, I know for sure my mother would have my hide, and I would never live it down. Fear of the mother, people, fear of the mother. Because she would do it.
Onward beyond the collages were small rooms decorated in prior presidential family's taste. A small library with 2,000 books, and room that used to be a billiard room but was transformed to a small sitting room, now called the Vermeil Room; next door is the China room, with cabinets filled with presidential china. And then make a turn up the stairs, and we enter into the Green room, to the Blue room, and then to the Red room. Just stop and think about the value of the art in the room - the gorgeous paintings that adorn the walls, the antique furniture. It was all so much to take in. And when my immediate surroundings had me overwhelmed, and I thought I couldn't take anymore, Mark pointed up to the ceilings. Such intricate work and designs on molding, the chandeliers, and ceiling structure. Amazing and beautiful. Then we moved into the State Dining Room, that could hold up to 140 guests. I marveled at the thought of feeding and seating 140 people. But mostly we stood in awe of that famous portrait of Lincoln, hand on his chin, elbow on his crossed knee. The East room, where President Obama has recently entertained is also on the tour. It's a beautiful room, but again, not as big as you would imagine.
The last stop on our tour was the Entrance and Cross Halls on the North Side of the White House. As I came around the corner from the dining room, the first thing I saw was that very famous portrait of President Kennedy, his head dropped in reflection. I had to stop for just a moment, and wonder what he was thinking. What must all of the inhabitants of this great residence think while here? The weight of the nation and the world on their shoulders. And at night, they have to go home to families, who also need them. I just love that painting, because I think it shows, more than any other I've seen, how real the position of President is, and what a daunting task they have each day to do the right thing.
We exited on the North side. Through the same doors you see on television of Presidents greeting foreign dignitaries and guests. We saw the famous staircase where the President and his wife walk down before greeting guests. It was all so surreal. And I loved every minute of it. Even Mark was just awe-struck by it all. I wasn't so sure how he would like it. I think he was getting a bit tired of my White House obsession on Netflix! But he loved it too.
We got our bearings, and found a very nice tavern for lunch. Ate up then visited the Supreme Court for a 30 minute lecture. It's all marble there, and just very intimidating. But it was fun.
All in all, our day was jam packed full of excitement. I'm sorry that I don't have any photos. But none were allowed in most of our stops. We're having to pace ourselves, because we are wearing out pretty early!
Tomorrow is Halloween and that means Mt. Vernon for us. My niece, Brianna, loves Mt. Vernon. So if she can give it that big of a recommendation, then we've got to go. If only to see George Washington's dentures, which she assures me are the coolest things ever. :)
Happy Reading!
Hugs to you all!!
All that being said, I've decided that God wanted me to attend the White House. I say that because several events occurred wherein I should have been deterred. But the proverbial window was opened. First, I called a few weeks before our visit, and was told the Congressman's office had lost our paperwork (EEEEEEKKK!!!). Never fear, Super Mark had a copy that he could easily find, and we were able to send it in on time. Whew.. crisis averted. Second, I had to pick a day and time when to visit the Pentagon. We had to pick the time before we knew what day we got to the White House. For whatever reason, I picked Friday at 9 am. I just crossed my fingers and prayed we didn't get the White House tour at the same time. Once our WH tour came in, we found it was on the same day but at 12. Plenty of time for both, and with both we couldn't bring cameras and all that. So, that just really worked out. And last, we arrived off the metro with no maps - see more explanation below - and yet there was someone who saw us wandering, and asked if we needed a help, did we need a map? "YES to both", plus he gave us directions. So see, God wanted us to see the White House today. :)
Our adventure starts out with a conversation last night on our adventure home, with our shuttle driver. We asked him about getting a shuttle that was off the schedule. "No problem", he assured us. Fast forward to this morning. Mark calls to confirm our shuttle schedule and the response he gets is, "No guarantees, but we'll try".
Hmmmm. That does not get my warm fuzzies brewing. We have a 9 am appointment at the Pentagon, didn't he know that? So down to breakfast we go, our hopes still high. In walks the driver.
"No way. It's rush hour".
WHAAT? It's what? Rush Hour? Really? Are you kidding me?? But we have an appointment at the Pentagon! (Sidebar - like my good friend Erika, I don't like people who put monkey wrenches in my plan. I prefer to make a plan and stick to it. Veering outside the plan can be accommodated sometimes, but this is most definitely NOT one of those times). Panic is setting in. I plant myself at the desk, ready to raise the stink my mom has shown me how to raise so effectively. I am preparing for the argument of my day. And what do I get? "Don't worry about it. I'll take you myself."
I have just fallen in love with Jose at the front desk (and ladies he did look single, although I'm not sure why).
Jose did in fact take us to the metro station. Crisis averted. Again. We tipped him quite well, as well we should have, for he saved our day. The jerk driver wouldn't take us, so Jose did (at the end of our day, I did seek out the hotel manager, singing Jose's praises, and how much we loved him, and how he saved our day - because that is what you do. I'm not sure if he was saved from my fit, or I was saved from giving it, but all around everyone came out a winner).
We made it to the Pentagon. We had Senior Airman (I forget how to abbreviate that) Aaron give us the tour. We walked for about a mile all through the Pentagon. He was super informative, and we had a great time. Probably the most moving was the 9/11 memorial. To see how far the plane penetrated to the walls of the Pentagon was awe-inspiring. Many conspiracy theorist argue that it was a missile that went into the Pentagon and not a plane. However Airman Aaron told us that jet fuel burns at a higher temperature, which melts steels, hence no plane. I wish we could have taken photos, because there is so much to see there. But of course they don't allow that, due to the evil that is still very real in our world.
Onward to the White House. We found it with only a bit of difficulty. You see, because we were attending tours at both the Pentagon and the WH, and neither allowed cameras or electronic devices or bags of any kind in, we were essentially naked. No cell phones, no iPod with the map and , no bag with our maps or Erika's tour guide book or to provide us with something to hold everything in. Nothing. Just our two forms of ID and credit cards. I tell ya, we got through security with a snap because we read our directions. I saw some poor sap at the gates of the White House because he had to hold a couple purses. Should've read your emails specifically stating that they wouldn't be allowed.
We got in to the White House. To be honest, as I walked through the East Wing, it was all I could do to not burst in to tears. It was absolutely overwhelming. These are the halls that our Presidents and their families wander. These are the halls that hold our history. We walked past the offices of the East Wing into a hallway. At the entrance were portraits of past presidents: Wilson, Truman, Roosevelt. Up a ramp and a slight turn we came down another corridor. This one had photos of different events, including our current administration. One collage was of presidential pets, one of the Easter Egg Roll, still another collage of inaugurations.
I'm going to stop here because Mark and I owe our Moms a small thanks in how they raised us. Specifically, to think of others. We didn't crowd the photos or get in front of others. We stayed back so everyone could see. Not so with young rebels in front of us (pierced and making fun of the photos). They crowded in front of the photo collages, pointing and touching, and just generally monopolizing the area. Grrr.. The downfall of self guided tours. So help me when I heard the snide comment about Nancy Reagan, who was digging a hole for a magnolia tree - I almost lost it. But, I controlled myself. If I were to be arrested at the White House, I know for sure my mother would have my hide, and I would never live it down. Fear of the mother, people, fear of the mother. Because she would do it.
Onward beyond the collages were small rooms decorated in prior presidential family's taste. A small library with 2,000 books, and room that used to be a billiard room but was transformed to a small sitting room, now called the Vermeil Room; next door is the China room, with cabinets filled with presidential china. And then make a turn up the stairs, and we enter into the Green room, to the Blue room, and then to the Red room. Just stop and think about the value of the art in the room - the gorgeous paintings that adorn the walls, the antique furniture. It was all so much to take in. And when my immediate surroundings had me overwhelmed, and I thought I couldn't take anymore, Mark pointed up to the ceilings. Such intricate work and designs on molding, the chandeliers, and ceiling structure. Amazing and beautiful. Then we moved into the State Dining Room, that could hold up to 140 guests. I marveled at the thought of feeding and seating 140 people. But mostly we stood in awe of that famous portrait of Lincoln, hand on his chin, elbow on his crossed knee. The East room, where President Obama has recently entertained is also on the tour. It's a beautiful room, but again, not as big as you would imagine.
The last stop on our tour was the Entrance and Cross Halls on the North Side of the White House. As I came around the corner from the dining room, the first thing I saw was that very famous portrait of President Kennedy, his head dropped in reflection. I had to stop for just a moment, and wonder what he was thinking. What must all of the inhabitants of this great residence think while here? The weight of the nation and the world on their shoulders. And at night, they have to go home to families, who also need them. I just love that painting, because I think it shows, more than any other I've seen, how real the position of President is, and what a daunting task they have each day to do the right thing.
We exited on the North side. Through the same doors you see on television of Presidents greeting foreign dignitaries and guests. We saw the famous staircase where the President and his wife walk down before greeting guests. It was all so surreal. And I loved every minute of it. Even Mark was just awe-struck by it all. I wasn't so sure how he would like it. I think he was getting a bit tired of my White House obsession on Netflix! But he loved it too.
We got our bearings, and found a very nice tavern for lunch. Ate up then visited the Supreme Court for a 30 minute lecture. It's all marble there, and just very intimidating. But it was fun.
All in all, our day was jam packed full of excitement. I'm sorry that I don't have any photos. But none were allowed in most of our stops. We're having to pace ourselves, because we are wearing out pretty early!
Tomorrow is Halloween and that means Mt. Vernon for us. My niece, Brianna, loves Mt. Vernon. So if she can give it that big of a recommendation, then we've got to go. If only to see George Washington's dentures, which she assures me are the coolest things ever. :)
Happy Reading!
Hugs to you all!!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
DC: Day 1
Whew.. it's only been one day, but I'm exhausted!!
Yesterday, Mark and I flew in separately. He met me at the foot of the stairs at the airport and we were able to get our luggage, get the car and settle in to our hotel. We're a bit far from the city, but luckily there is a metro station not far away - only a shuttle ride.
We woke up around 8:30 and caught a shuttle ride, and onward to our first stop: Arlington Cemetery. We walked all around, careful to not photograph any of the gravestones. For some reason, we both agreed that there is just something not right about that.
First, we visited the Women's Military Memorial. We walked through the museum, reading about women's plight to get equal rights, and serving their country. They even had computers that you could look people up. Naturally, I looked at my mom and found a photo of her and my dad smiling back at me. That was pretty cool. Three thousand miles away, and she still knows what I'm up to! :) I looked up some other servicewomen I know, but couldn't find them (Lizell, Rachael and Danita - I've got the website for you!). Amazing to see how far these extraodinary women have come.
Next, we visited the Kennedy gravesites, (John, Robert and Edward - along with Jackie and their two infant children), then progressed up the hill to Lee House. Then it was on to the tomb of the unknown soldiers, and the changing of the guard. There were two schools there, who laid wreaths on the stones. Everytime I hear taps - it's just amazing to me - you can't help but be moved by it; such simple notes, really, but so powerful all the same. From there, we ventured over to see the memorials for the Challenger and Columbia Shuttles. As we were reading our map, a funeral procession, in full uniform- with the Army band and the horse drawn carriage carrying the body draped in an American flag came by. We stopped, put our hands over our hearts and said a silent prayer. What a reminder for where you are, and why these people are buried here. We need that reminder a little more often, so that we are reminded as to how we should be treating our veterans, but that is an issue for another blog...
By now, it was close to 1, and our tummies were reminding us of that little fact. Luckily, I brought along some snacks, but it certainly wouldn't sustain us for long. We jumped back on the metro, and with Erika's book, tried to find our next adventure. My plan was to do a quick walking tour. Unfortunately, but the time we exited our station, it was 2, and we were more concerned with finding lunch! We cozied up to a very quaint Irish pub. At first, Mark kind of laughed at the idea, but once inside, he agreed that we picked a fantastic place. Our waitress was even Irish! Lunch in our bellies, we ventured down to Starbucks for hot tea and prepared to walk to our next destination.
Our last venture was to the National Portrait Gallery. There is an exhibit there on the American presidents that I really wanted to see. We spent an hour or so walking through, reading all the plaques and just enjoying ourselves. Once we finished, though, it was definitely time for home. Our feet were really starting to hurt, and neither Mark nor I are fond of big cities, especially after dark.
So far, I'm falling in love all over again with our beautiful country. Fall is the best time to come. I can't describe how beautiful the leaves are, with all the reds, oranges, yellows, and greens. There is a brisk chill in the air, just enough to remind you that winter is on the way. We've mastered the metro system so we don't worry about getting home safe.
Tomorrow is an early day. We start at the Pentagon around 9, but we need to be there about 15 mins early. Then we'll have the White House, which I'm sure I'll cry at - I mean, its the White House! PIRATE! (inside joke, sorry)
So look for our blog tomorrow. I'm sure you'll hear lots and lots on that. I'm planning on it being the highlight of our trip!
Hugs till then!
PS- I couldn't figure out how to add photos to the blog - they seemed to take forever. Until I get that worked out, you can see the photos on my facebook page, or Mark will upload them to our site. :)
Yesterday, Mark and I flew in separately. He met me at the foot of the stairs at the airport and we were able to get our luggage, get the car and settle in to our hotel. We're a bit far from the city, but luckily there is a metro station not far away - only a shuttle ride.
We woke up around 8:30 and caught a shuttle ride, and onward to our first stop: Arlington Cemetery. We walked all around, careful to not photograph any of the gravestones. For some reason, we both agreed that there is just something not right about that.
First, we visited the Women's Military Memorial. We walked through the museum, reading about women's plight to get equal rights, and serving their country. They even had computers that you could look people up. Naturally, I looked at my mom and found a photo of her and my dad smiling back at me. That was pretty cool. Three thousand miles away, and she still knows what I'm up to! :) I looked up some other servicewomen I know, but couldn't find them (Lizell, Rachael and Danita - I've got the website for you!). Amazing to see how far these extraodinary women have come.
Next, we visited the Kennedy gravesites, (John, Robert and Edward - along with Jackie and their two infant children), then progressed up the hill to Lee House. Then it was on to the tomb of the unknown soldiers, and the changing of the guard. There were two schools there, who laid wreaths on the stones. Everytime I hear taps - it's just amazing to me - you can't help but be moved by it; such simple notes, really, but so powerful all the same. From there, we ventured over to see the memorials for the Challenger and Columbia Shuttles. As we were reading our map, a funeral procession, in full uniform- with the Army band and the horse drawn carriage carrying the body draped in an American flag came by. We stopped, put our hands over our hearts and said a silent prayer. What a reminder for where you are, and why these people are buried here. We need that reminder a little more often, so that we are reminded as to how we should be treating our veterans, but that is an issue for another blog...
By now, it was close to 1, and our tummies were reminding us of that little fact. Luckily, I brought along some snacks, but it certainly wouldn't sustain us for long. We jumped back on the metro, and with Erika's book, tried to find our next adventure. My plan was to do a quick walking tour. Unfortunately, but the time we exited our station, it was 2, and we were more concerned with finding lunch! We cozied up to a very quaint Irish pub. At first, Mark kind of laughed at the idea, but once inside, he agreed that we picked a fantastic place. Our waitress was even Irish! Lunch in our bellies, we ventured down to Starbucks for hot tea and prepared to walk to our next destination.
Our last venture was to the National Portrait Gallery. There is an exhibit there on the American presidents that I really wanted to see. We spent an hour or so walking through, reading all the plaques and just enjoying ourselves. Once we finished, though, it was definitely time for home. Our feet were really starting to hurt, and neither Mark nor I are fond of big cities, especially after dark.
So far, I'm falling in love all over again with our beautiful country. Fall is the best time to come. I can't describe how beautiful the leaves are, with all the reds, oranges, yellows, and greens. There is a brisk chill in the air, just enough to remind you that winter is on the way. We've mastered the metro system so we don't worry about getting home safe.
Tomorrow is an early day. We start at the Pentagon around 9, but we need to be there about 15 mins early. Then we'll have the White House, which I'm sure I'll cry at - I mean, its the White House! PIRATE! (inside joke, sorry)
So look for our blog tomorrow. I'm sure you'll hear lots and lots on that. I'm planning on it being the highlight of our trip!
Hugs till then!
PS- I couldn't figure out how to add photos to the blog - they seemed to take forever. Until I get that worked out, you can see the photos on my facebook page, or Mark will upload them to our site. :)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Vacation '09: Day: 0 T minus 19hours
Tomorrow we start our vacation. I'm so excited, I'm sure I'll need a Tylenol PM to sleep tonight. I'm pretty sure I have all my confirmations printed out:
White House Tour: CHECK
Pentagon Tour: CHECK
Flight Itinerary: CHECK
Capital Tour: CHECK
Mark's list of things to bring: CHECK
What am I missing? Nothing I hope, because I just want to go!!
Libby will be missing me, I'm sure. But I'm giving her lots and lots of love now. At this moment, she is sitting just as pretty as she can be next to my chair. She'll have to cuddle with Aunt Isy or Stephen because I'll be soon cuddling with my hubby honey!!
Silent prayer for safe travels - hugs and love to all my readers!!
White House Tour: CHECK
Pentagon Tour: CHECK
Flight Itinerary: CHECK
Capital Tour: CHECK
Mark's list of things to bring: CHECK
What am I missing? Nothing I hope, because I just want to go!!
Libby will be missing me, I'm sure. But I'm giving her lots and lots of love now. At this moment, she is sitting just as pretty as she can be next to my chair. She'll have to cuddle with Aunt Isy or Stephen because I'll be soon cuddling with my hubby honey!!
Silent prayer for safe travels - hugs and love to all my readers!!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Ya Gotta Have FAITH!!
I am on month 3 in Texas. I love it here. I don't love the rain, but I love the wide open spaces, I love the friendly people. I love going to church at First Frisco, and I love my co-workers (the actual work is a whole other blog and we won't get into that here).
But I have to say, moving out here, without my Mark has been a lot harder than I thought it would. As I was talking to my Aunt Isy about it, I realized what it was. I feel forgotten. I miss my friends. I miss hanging out with them. I miss listening to Edward go on and on about whatever. I even miss that wierd noise Julie makes when she's scratching her ear. I thought I'd be able to come out at Christmas, but turns out, I won't be able to make it. My folks have decided to come to Oklahoma and have a family Christmas out here. I'm happy that they are finally making the trek, but my big plans to see everyone have been thwarted. I will get to see Mark for our big vacation to DC next week (look for that upcoming blog!!) and again for Thanksgiving with his sister, and again for Christmas in Oklahoma. But 6 months without seeing Tony, Sara, Julie, Barry, Edward, Mel, Alan, Betty, all the babies, and everyone else (you too, Charity) has just been really hard. I guess because maybe I haven't really started my life out here? I'm not sure. I can't even get very excited about football because I don't have my dad here to share it with.
I'm taking a Bible Study class. I'm learning more and more about my faith. I've never read it all the way through, so I'm learning a ton. I like talking to my Aunt Isy about it, because she seems to know it all. She says that we need to take all our worries and put them in God's hands, let him deal with it, and know that he will work it out for what's best. I have such a hard time with that though. Maybe because I'm a bit of a control freak. I have to know what's happening at all times. I can't even go on vacation without making an itinerary and planning out my days (ask Mark -he'll verify!). One day, I hope to put my worries, about my niece and nephew, about what Sara and Tony are doing, about how everyone is, about who is planning Mel's shower, all those things - and give them to God. I want to say, "here ya go", and have him say, "thanks, i'll let you know when I'm done!". Until then, I have to miss everyone. I have to get on facebook as often as I can, and remind people that I'm here. At least until January when I can see them again! :)
Sweet sleep to you my readers...
But I have to say, moving out here, without my Mark has been a lot harder than I thought it would. As I was talking to my Aunt Isy about it, I realized what it was. I feel forgotten. I miss my friends. I miss hanging out with them. I miss listening to Edward go on and on about whatever. I even miss that wierd noise Julie makes when she's scratching her ear. I thought I'd be able to come out at Christmas, but turns out, I won't be able to make it. My folks have decided to come to Oklahoma and have a family Christmas out here. I'm happy that they are finally making the trek, but my big plans to see everyone have been thwarted. I will get to see Mark for our big vacation to DC next week (look for that upcoming blog!!) and again for Thanksgiving with his sister, and again for Christmas in Oklahoma. But 6 months without seeing Tony, Sara, Julie, Barry, Edward, Mel, Alan, Betty, all the babies, and everyone else (you too, Charity) has just been really hard. I guess because maybe I haven't really started my life out here? I'm not sure. I can't even get very excited about football because I don't have my dad here to share it with.
I'm taking a Bible Study class. I'm learning more and more about my faith. I've never read it all the way through, so I'm learning a ton. I like talking to my Aunt Isy about it, because she seems to know it all. She says that we need to take all our worries and put them in God's hands, let him deal with it, and know that he will work it out for what's best. I have such a hard time with that though. Maybe because I'm a bit of a control freak. I have to know what's happening at all times. I can't even go on vacation without making an itinerary and planning out my days (ask Mark -he'll verify!). One day, I hope to put my worries, about my niece and nephew, about what Sara and Tony are doing, about how everyone is, about who is planning Mel's shower, all those things - and give them to God. I want to say, "here ya go", and have him say, "thanks, i'll let you know when I'm done!". Until then, I have to miss everyone. I have to get on facebook as often as I can, and remind people that I'm here. At least until January when I can see them again! :)
Sweet sleep to you my readers...
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