skip to main |
skip to sidebar
When the White House welcomed British Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday, I was lucky enough to have a front row seat rope stand.
Because sometimes I'm just as intrigued as what goes on behind the scenes for big events, it was perfect for seeing all the preps for the ceremony, like the vacuuming of the red carpet...
and when my favorite Obama, the First Dog Bo, decided to come say hello...
I especially loved it when the honor guard and bands marched in...
Would you laugh at me if I confessed that when the soldier holding the Tennessee flag stopped directly in front of me I got a little frog in my throat? I like to think that's normal for people like me, who get teary every time the National Anthem is played. Once the ceremony began, my spot wasn't so great. By then, crowds were all swarming and since I'm short, I only got a glimpse at the Obamas....
Patrick was there, and he's tall....
...so he was able to snap a few good photos, including this one of the power couples waving from the portico.
I've been to the White House for official events a few times, but no matter the reason, or even who's in office, getting to be behind the gate will always feel like a big deal to me.
It's especially fun to see all the personal touches on the grounds, like the dog, and the First Daughters' swing set, which is just behind the Oval Office...
Also, I'd never seen the new tent used for State dinners either, so I was a little excited for a peak.
Now, if only I could ever land on State Dinner guest list....
If you're heading to a movie this weekend, take this....
Trader Joe's Movie Theater Popcorn! I am so happy to be back together with my boyfriend T.J. After that little chocolate cheese snarl we had, thing got a little awkward, but this popcorn will sustain our relationship.
We all know that, besides being super expensive (this bag is just $1.99!), movie theater popcorn is super fattening (two cups of Trader Joe's popcorn is only 160 calories!). Now, I know there's just something right about having popcorn at the movies (and Sour Patch kids and Junior Mints) but this popcorn tastes SO much like the real stuff that when you add in authentic movie theater smells (and maybe some M&Ms) you will hardly tell a difference at all!
So...let me recommend filling a little baggie full of this Trader Joe's popcorn, and putting it in your handbag along with your bootlegged movie wine this weekend. Or also...eating it straight from the bag, on your couch, in your pajamas watching The Amandas....which is what I'll be doing this weekend.
Happy Friday!
There's a new book out called MWF Seeking BFF - it's the true story of an adult woman who, despite having friends in cities where she'd before been established, moves to Chicago to be with the man she'll eventually marry but finds herself without anyone with whom to go grab a pedicure. She spends a year going on friend dates.
I haven't read this book yet, but it's on my list for Spring because I love the dynamics of women and friendships.
Nearly four years after I moved from Washington to the 'burbs, I've yet to make any friends in my new town because, quite simply, I have not tried. I have a lot of great friends down in the city, and I was really lucky to marry into a set of fun couples where I've quickly befriended all the wives.
I do hear women, especially, talk often about how hard it is to make friends, but I don't think that's really the case. I think it's hard to maintain friendships, to do the work of staying in touch and being the kind of friend you want to have. Perhaps we should take a cue from these men....
Dan and his BFFs
This weekend, the group of friends I married into - Dan's best guy friends and their wives - had the first outing of an effort I've dubbed Frienaissiance 2012.
In February, Brian (who is married to the meal-planning master, Kathleen) sent out an email to the nine couples who make up our crew and suggested we save the first Saturday of each month as a night for the group to hang out. So on Saturday, sitters were procured and friends traveled from city and country to meet up at a popular pub near Dan and me just to spend a few hours together.
Eight of the nine couples were there, including the most recent parents to a three-week old! I could be biased, because I like these people, but I think that's a pretty impressive showing!
I hope the boat trips, game nights, drive-in movies and other general celebrations we discussed having on Saturday happen as Frieniassance 2012 continues. Because life will surely get in the way, I know there will be future dates where the crowds aren't as large, but I think the fact that the entire group is willing to make room for each other is kind of special. Because if the reaction to MFW Seeking BFF is any indication, it's not always easy to make friends (especially friends you share with your spouse) so it's certainly worth the time to maintain the friendships you do have.
After my first bootcamp, I'm down 5 pounds! I also lost one inch in my waist, and one inch in my hips. Tragically, my thighs and arms remained the same - but give it time, I tell myself!
What has changed most, however, is just my general disposition. I feel better, and I feel stronger. Already I can tell a difference in how my clothes fit. I see my collar bone again! Even though by 2:30pm I need a caffine pick-me-up, something I never needed before my 5am early risings, I have a ton more energy. And, the sacrifice of sleep and sweat sure does make it easier for me to pass on bad food - most of the time!
I have certainly had some cheats here and there, and during the last week, I saw the scale go back UP three pounds after a week that included some birthday cake, chips and salsa and seafood lasagna. The scale has since returned and started moving downward again. It's amazing what a few bad decisions can do to a weekly goal. On the flip side, some clean eating can also be pretty rewarding, and when I step on the scale this Saturday, I hope to have good results. I've done really well with my diet this week.
Also this week I've been doing a mini-camp at the same training center, but it's SO much harder than the full bootcamp. It's been just three days, but it has been a real challenge for me. After Wednesday's work out, I nearly cried sitting in my car after class. I know that sounds wimpy and cheesey, but it was just this strange mix of exhaustion and accomplishment.
Bootcamp starts back Monday-Friday next week. I've signed up for these three-week classes for the next three months. CRAZY! Y'all have been so sweet and supportive to me, and it has really been motivating - thank you!
Last Friday, there was a cancelation for a Capitol Dome Tour, and truly by chance, my office was lucky to fill it.
Looking at this picture, taken 152 feet above the Capitol Rotunda, still gives me a little bit of vertigo...and this wasn't even the highest point. Here I am on the balcony at the base of the tholos....
High enough to see the Maryland 'burbs.....though the Washington landmarks were much more sightly. Here's Patrick, the work hubs, holding Court, Supremely, on the exterior balcony of the Dome.
I've worked on the Hill for years, but never had the chance to make this climb.
I have a slight fear of heights, and a wild imagination that went into over-drive as I was winding my way to the top, giving the stairs a tight death-grip....
but I did it anyway, because it's a pretty big treat to score a dome tour (tours are not available for public booking, and only taken once a day). The up-close view of the dome's paintings....
and its architecture was worth a very real case of the willies.
I am going to get a little D.C. nerdy here. I loved seeing this light....
When either the House or the Senate is in session, this light is always on. You can see it from the the top of the Capitol, all over the city. On September 11th, even when the government evacuated, this light stayed turn burning.
Confession....I had to rely on my co-workers for most of these photos. I was too chicken to look over the inside ledge. This is how I saw things from inside...
I wasnt as brave as these girls...
Dome you wish your collegaues are cute like mine? Hee! The photos don't do the experience justice...
but they will always be reminders to me of how lucky I am to get to do unique things like this!
I pulled my groin this week at boot camp. I mean, could I be more of an athlete?
The truth is, I didn't even know girls had groins. I always thought "groin" was just a football code word for man junk. Luckily for me, mine took a stretch during a sprint, and I loathe running (especially when other people are watching, especially when I will likely come in dead last) so much that I secretly celebrarted the day of only slight discomfort and the valid excuse to "stretch it out" while the rest of the class Prefontained it. A few ibuprofen and I was back the next day.
Tomorrow is the end of the 3-week camp. We'll get to measure any results. I've never been so excited to see a tape measure! A new camp starts in March, and I'm signing up for another tour of duty!
I have two weeks of bootcamp behind me, and it's going really well. I kind of even like it, and am already thinking about doing another in March. I have been up at 5am every weekday, and I haven't missed a class. The scale is moving. The clothes are looser. I hate to claim victory too soon, but I will say I have not been defeated. That's not to say, however, that I'm on the front row of the class.
There are about 35 of us in "camp", under the leadership of three instructors. The main guy is George. I really like the way he motivates the group. He's just stern enough. I'm pretty sure George thinks I'm a loser.
George: Last week when we brought out the punching bags you were kind of all over the place. You need to hold your form when you punch it. Keep the elbows in tight. You were kind of flailing about. And that's ok, you've probably never done this before. You're not a fighter.
Me: This is true. But I am very skilled at a verbal assualt.
George: Then you yell at that bag!
---------------------------------------------------------------
George: DO YOU EVER SWEAT?
{This was not offered as a compliment, he meant for me to step it up!}
Me: I'm Southern. I just...glisten.
{Yes, I went fridge magnet on him. It would have been tacky to tell him I could fill a kiddie pool with the content of my sports bra.}
--------------------------------------------------------------
George: This is not your grandma's workout!
Me: I know, my grandma would probably be in far more advance class that I am.
