Living history

Monday was the 57th Inaugural Celebration and swearing in of the President of the United States. And I live three miles from the happenings.
Although I was tired from a super fun weekend with some of my favorite people on my favorite coast (I'm sorry but the West coast really is the better coast), I got up from my cozy little lazy couch spot and bundled up so I could head down and check everything out.
While on the Metro, I was sort of questioning my choice. I mean, I was headed into the nuttiness alone. No buddy to join me in side commentary or for entertainment. Just me. I had read the paper (cause I am 90 and get a newspaper everyday...I recycle.) and figured out what was open and closed. After some review I decided to opt out of the speech and swearing in and instead just check out the parade. Good choice!
Once I was downtown, I discovered it would have been impossible to do both. Well, not impossible but would have meant miles and miles of walking out of the way. (I do not like that!) As it was I had to walk quite a ways to get to a public viewing spot for the parade. And then we had to wait in line. For a parade. I had to wait in an airline-stlye, TSA checked kind of line. No fruit or opened containers were allowed inside the gated area. Apparently, they think crazies will throw fruit at the Pres. Random.
I was in line to get closer for over an hour. While waiting in line, I chatted with some folks. And two super nice guys asked me if I would want to hang out with them while watching/waiting. So nice!
And we had so much fun! (and discovered they are my neighbors!!)
Well, once we waited in line, we waited for a long while for the parade to begin (apparently the Pres and family needed lunch.) Once the parade began, I was moved closer because I am short. (Did I say how nice people were to eachother?! It was incredible.) So, there I was in the front row (well behind the two barricade and 3 traffic lanes from where the parade elements passed), just waiting. A bunch of vehicles passed and then we heard loud cheers from further down the route. The whole crowd starting to look and then The President WALKED right past us. Yes, that's right. He walked by! I was so excited I just left my phone/camera in my pocket and squealed! And teared up a little. I mean, how cool is that the President literally just walked past me. Not drive past but straight-up, walked. And his wife in her fancy heels and goreous coat, walked. Cool. It seemed as soon as they passed, the entire crowd left. And then were all in the front row. And the Vice President walked by! By then I actually had my camera out and ready...I learn kind of fast.

From there, the parade was filled with marching bands and floats and things from all across the country. And then there was a looooooooonnnnnnnnngggggg pause. (do you get how long they paused?!). So at 6pm, I said goodbye to the police officers who had patiently answered all of my questions about logistics all day and started my way home.
As I manuevered throuh people in ball gowns (heading to the Ball) and marine uniforms, I again got teary-eyed. Here I was in the nation's capitol experiencing history. How did I ever think I could miss out?!
Some more pictures of the day:

The Capitol all dressed up when I drove by on Sunday night.

The incredibly empty Metro station.

Just one of the Peeps in the crowd.

My new police pals from Ocean City, New Jersey and the Marine Corp band.

unHappy New Year

(should have been posted 1/2/13)

Um, 2013, we are officially fighting. I am not pleased. You were supposed to be a super awesome year. And you have started out really poorly.
I have an exceptionally bad cold.
AND all my stuff was stolen out of a car.
So. Not. Cool.

The story:
While enjoying a super yummy dinner with an old pal, thieves stole my luggage out of her backseat. All my stuff, including a new iPad. The thieves got away with about $5000 worth of stuff. None of it (but the apple stuff) was worth much to anyone. But it all had worth to me.
Really it is just stuff. No one was hurt. The window will get fixed. The money will come to me to replace my stuff. I am calm about it, but I am annoyed.
I mean. I can assure you that the thieves do not want my chubby girl short jeans (that took me 6 months to find). Nor do they want my gross retainers. For sure those are in a garbage can somewhere and I now have to find an ortho in DC and go for a visit (which does not please me at all!). Nor can I foresee them getting any money for the super fun earrings that I have taken years to collect in all my travels. They weren't expensive enough to sell, but they were all worth a lot to me. And I'm so bummed.
I will be able to replace the items, but I find it super annoying to have to do so.

The upside:
I have amazing people in my world and they have expressed a lot of worry for me. And while I could become a super bitter, untrusting person, I will not become that person because of the awesome people in my life. So, thank you for being positive and for being worried and for making me believe that there is way more good than evil in the world.




the scene of the crime

Heavy heart.

(should have been posted 12/26)

Today, the day after Christmas. Today, the evening after a heart-filling day with family and my fav little ones. Today, when I walked in my door with an ear-to-ear grin. Today, my heart is heavy.
While looking at facebook before settling down and putting my phone away for the night, I saw everyone posting something about Bridget.
If you don't know who Bridget is-- here's a quick recap. She works with me on the 3-Day. She is a super fun and lively woman of age 29. At 22 (I think) she was diagnosed with Stage IV metastic breast cancer. If I remember correctly, she found out the day after her college graduation. I cannot even begin to imagine what that must have felt like. The shock. The anger. The fear. I know what I felt when I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and I cannot fathom what it must be like to hear that you have a small percentage that you will make it to 30. Cannot fathom.
But she has not only survived well past doctors initial expectations, she has thrived. And shared her story with the world. She has shown women (and men) of all ages that no matter what, you can be a fighter. You can have hope. And be graceful. And smart. And have the whole world.
I have had the honor to work with her on a few projects, not anywhere near as closely as others, but she has still touched my life. As she has done with so many others. in fact, you may see her picture if you open a magazine and see a Komen ad or see one on TV. She is the one with a big ole smile. With all the discussion over athletes being hereos or not (Lance or Te'o), she is a hero. No lie. No argument. She faced an unfathomable obstacle and has done so like the lady she is. To me: that is a hero.
So, today after I saw all the posts, I went to her blog. And was dumbfounded to read her request to let her go and her plea to not forget her.  Her fight is coming to the end. And my heart is heavy.

The link to read about Bridget (in her own words): http://www.mybiggirlpants.blogspot.com/

Holidays- part 3

After so much fun time spent with family, it was time for me to head to play with my pals. A fav group of ladies that I have traveled with many times decided on a trip to SF area.
I got on the plane bright and early and headed West for a few days.
Sadly,I took a gross cold with me. That combined with the time zone change, I was a little less party animal and a little more old lady.
But with good friends that stuff doesn't matter as much and a good time was still had!
We laughed, we had cocktails, we played putt-putt.

Thanks, ladies for a super fun time!

Holidays-part 2

So when I left we were enjoying Christmas Day dinner at my mom and dad's. I have to say again-- it was SO GOOD! Seriously, we joke and call my dad Chef Ferdie but he is a really good cook. Aunt Po talked about the beef for days. :)
As I said, two of my Schulte-side aunts came to Chirstmas dinner with an uncle. They had planned to stay at the Westland house so they could hop on a flight to Baltimore to see the little ladies and spend some time with E and Lou-lou. You see they all used to live in the same area, which I have learned is super special, and they miss eachother so very much. So much that my aunt who hasn't left the mitten in several years got onto a plane with us and we flew to the east coast!
We arrived in a blizzard, of course!
We spent the first day cozily in the Bedolla house, just cacthing up.
The next day, we took a "big girls trip" to Anapolis. Grandpa spent time at the house with the littest ladies and C joined Mama, Aunt Jessica, Aunt Mugs and Aunt Po for a ladies lunch and stroll around charming Anapolis. It was so fun!
Friday, the out of towners came to my side of town and we toured the city. We finally ate lunch at Aunt Mugsie's 'Tune-In' bar.
And then the little ladies and parents joined us, so we could check out the National Christmas tree and the Trees of Peace.
At the end of the day, I hugged them goodbye before I left for the west coast!

 (I would have added more pics of our days together but Blogger just isn't letting me...)

Holidays- part 1

This holiday season was a breath of fresh air and whirlwind all at once.
I stopped working on December 19 and did not turn on (or think about) work until I attempted a return on January 3. (Though a most vicious cold changed that plan.) It was glorious.
I realized the sesspool of negative went away within a day. All I needed was a time out. Time to breathe. Time to laugh. Glorious.
My first few days of vacation were spent chilling with my papa. He is now "retired" again. I say it in quotes because he has "retired" a few times in the last six years. I have stopped congratulating him or buying him a card. Because every time the contract ends he states, "this is it" and then in 6 months he is back at it. When mom finally retires, we'll acknowledge them in some way. Until that day, I am still not truly a believer that my papa is done with work.
Anyway, so I enjoyed the retired guy's routine. We ran errnads, did "lunch", played a few games, and got ready for the holidays. I also got a little time with my mom, just us.
Then we headed up north to the cottage for the little Christmas--just the 5 of us and the dogs.
There was just enough snow to make it feel cozy. Just enough egg nog to make things a little silly. And as always with my family, plenty of laughter and joy. We exchanged presents on Saturday.Jenny loves to open presents and has totally influenced the rest of us, so now every little gift gets its own package---so the treee is overfull. And every present is well thought out (well maybe not every one, but most). And we watch as each person opens the presents and talk about it. So opening presents takes like 2-3 hours. We have snacks and drink time outs, but we open for a long time. And the nicest part is that we don't need to have presents. We'd be fine just in the company of eachother. I am the luckiest.
So in the vane of spending time with eachother, we decided to go bowling on SUnday afternoon. The bowling alley was closed, so instead we opted for a bar crawl. I cannot express the ridiculous fun that we had. RIDICULOUS!
On Christmas Day, my parents were hosting two aunts and my uncle for dinner. A & J were able to come as well, so J's dad joined too. The only people that would be missing would be Aunt Jody and Tee. Mom was so sad. And then right after Christmas morning mass, the doorbell rang and Jody and tee surprised my mom. I swear I haven't heard a squeal like that since high school. She was beaming. And her Christmas was complete. Everyone that could be there, was there. The house was filled with people. It got loud (and louder). The fire was cozy. Chef Ferdie made an amazing meal. And the holiday season had just started.
Lovely.

My "mantel" at my house.

My tree. I heart that it is tall and skinny.

A pal & I enjoying the DC holiday merriment.

My first day of vacation. So cozy!

"Snata" and his little helper.

Family photo shoot before opening presents!

The tree!

@ the end of the bar crawl...Jenny made pizzas!

The "foldables" for when mom misses us! ;)