Bandwagon moment

At this time of reflection and thanksgiving, bandwagon here I come! In the last two weeks, I have been very fortunate to hop my way around the southeastern part of our country with my family and friends. All thanks to this little endeavor, my family called me two weeks ago and invited me to go to Disney World with my aunts, uncles, and grandparents. I was torn; we just bought a house, the holidays are upon us, we need a new washer and dryer, more money, more money, more money. On the other hand, how often is someone able to take an impromptu Disney World trip with her family the week before Thanksgiving? J aided in clenching this decision and off I went.

The three days I spent in the wonderful world of Disney were truly magical. My dad's sister, her husband, and I were the only people in our jovial party that had ever spent time in Disney's dream before this trip. My dad's brother and his wife had never been, but even more astonishing than that, my grandfather, who turned 75 in September, and my grandmother, had never traveled to the Magical Kingdom. This fact is truly shocking if you have ever met the wonderful Mr. Henry, who channels the late Mr. Disney is many ways. My grandparent's house is bursting at the seams with all things Mickey. There are Mickey pictures, prints, trivets, magnets, blankets, shirts, pants, pens, papers, phones, phone covers, bedding, hats, ears, and I'm sure if I searched long enough, I might find some Mickey underwear. Well, there were definitely more trinkets that were added to the collection after this trip! We spent one day in the Magic Kingdom, one day at Epcot, and our last day at Hollywood studios. We had so much fun at each park, but the icing on the cake was the fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom. I have never seen anything so incredible in all my life. Even people that aren't firework people, unlike myself, were in awe of the amazing show!

Aside from my personal delight, I think the most heart-warming moment of the entire trip was when we snakes through the line at record pace (thanks, one-armed wheel-butt!) and met Mickey and Minnie Mouse. My grandfather's face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning, and I don't think he could do anything to help it. It was an automatic reaction, and it was priceless! Between getting to spend some unencumbered time with my family and seeing first-hand the Mickey Mouse reaction, I know that my impromptu trip was the best way to spend that little bit of money, even if the timing wasn't planned.

Upon the conclusion of my magical trip to the wonderful world of Disney, I made my way west to my old stomping grounds: Memphis. I decided that since I had a week before Thanksgiving and all I would be doing was sitting my in palatial, luxurious hotel room, I might as well come back and spend some time with my best friend. I anticipated that J would be somewhere in the midsouth during my week of play time to train his replacement, but unfortunately that was not the case. I decided that would not deter my plans, and off to the M-town I went. I have spent the past week and a half living with my best friend, and it has been one of the most relaxing weeks I've ever had. We have watched more Twilight than should be legal, all while talking out the problems of the world and grading papers in the process. I cannot thank her enough for putting me up and putting up with me. (Not to mention the fact that she let me crash her New Moon party, which was incredible! )

Now that we are nearing the least sacred of the winter holiday, most often just used as a place marker between the more popular times of Halloween and Christmas, I am off to spend more time with my family today. I have always been a family person, and I think that is why this holiday in particular is so special to me. It is at this time of giving thanks that my whole family stops whatever it is that they are doing and travels to our home base from all around the country to spend some quality time together. Is it all smiles, laughter, and constant joy? Of course not! There are the obligatory curse words, the pans chucked across the kitchen, the threats of early bed time, the consent to early bed times, the Patron, the... after Patron, the fit so artfully pitched, and the over crowded bathrooms, but all of these are mixed with the smiles and laughter, making this holiday one of my favorites!

So now comes my bandwagon moment. In this hectic time of giving and wanting, I am so thankful for and content with the life that I have been given. I would not be the person I am at the place I am without all of the wonderful people around me. There are plenty of things to be thankful for: our new house, J's job, our ability to travel all over, all of our materialistic things without which we could not live comfortably (or sanely), and many more. Despite my gratitude for each and every one of those things, it is the people in my life for which I am most grateful. I married the most incredible, loving, smart, capable, and mostly patient man that God could have created, and I am grateful. I have the best girl friend, who understands me more completely than I even know myself because she is me with experience, and I am grateful. I have a family that would drop anything to help with whatever I might ever need, even travel to the middle of nowhere Alabama to celebrate my wedding, and I am grateful. I have a sister who is so special to me, even if we are now sixteen hours apart. I have a wonderful family of in-laws that genuinely care about my well being, not just because I into the family, but because they sincerely love me. I have two wonderful sets of grandparents who are so vivacious that some sixty year olds are jealous. With all of these incredible people surrounding me, how can I not succeed in the world. With all of the things in my life, it is people that have made all the difference!

Here we go again!

J and I had a fantastic weekend that was completely filled with adventure. On Saturday, we planned to go visit some of the museums around the Mall and just kind of take in the sights of our nation's capital. When he got home from work on Friday, he had tickets to a Washington Capital's game in his hand and said that we had been invited to breakfast with some of his coworkers. It seemed as though our Saturday went from pleasantly full to completely booked (in a very good way). We woke up early (well, early for me, J got to sleep in a little) and prepared for our trip to the farmer's market in downtown DC. We met up with his coworkers for breakfast at this really cool place in the midst of the farmer's market. Everyone lines up to grab their freshly cooked breakfast and grab a seat at the very small soda-fountain counter like table off to the side of the rest of the market. I could tell from the start that this was a good breakfast place because the sign said "Must be in line by noon to order breakfast." Clearly, people are ready to wait for this stuff! J had a good old fashioned pancake breakfast with two eggs and the obligatory sausage. I had two eggs, a roll, and the best crab cake that I had ever tasted. Once we were full to the point of gluttony, it was time to walk. We walked two miles to the Natural History museum and passed the Capital building. It was incredible to see it up close, and know I more fully understand exactly why they call it Capital HILL! We spent the next four hours in the natural history museum exploring all of the ancient artifacts that they had to present. We saw the incredible creatures from the depths of the ocean; we saw amazing animals that stalk across Africa and Asia; we saw bones from animals that prowled this earth more than 65 million years ago; we saw a display on how everything shifted from the creatures of old to the way life is today. It was fascinating! After our time there, we zoomed over to the American History museum (my home for adventure earlier in the week). J saw the incredible Star Spangled Banner, the Americans at War display, and took me through the exhibit dedicated to Thomas Edison that explains just how we actually came to have electricity. I even surprised him with my knowledge (albeit, limited) of pistons and generators and the laws of thermodynamics. Once our feet had had all they could take (and they couldn't takes no more), we had to walk again. This time, we set out for the Verizon center, home of the Washington Capital's National Hockey Team. Luckily, this trip was only one mile. After we found our destination and grabbed some oh-so-delicioso Papa John's pizza, we headed for our corporate box. We enjoyed the game with some of J's coworkers from breakfast, as well as other ExxonMobil employees. With the hockey game displayed in front of us and the SEC football games prominent of the television (what the heck happened there LSU?!), the evening was set. J and I both had a great time, especially since the Caps won 7-4 over Florida (at least their football team pulled it off). The return journey was not nearly as far and the metro ride was easy. After a long, fun eight monthaversary, it was off to the adventure of dreams.

Now, for my next trip! This Wednesday, I will be joining my dad's sister and brother, their spouses, and my grandparents for my grandfather's birthday extravaganza. We're goin' to DISNEY WORLD!! I guess this will help make up for the fact that I missed his actual birthday party in September. :) After three days at the Magic Kingdom, I will be headed back to the big LR, then back to M-town for a fun filled week with my best friend! Between Mickey, Edward, my family, and Jennie, I don't think these next two weeks can get much better!

E

Another round of adventures!

The propaganda worked! Yesterday when I set our for another adventure, I decided that I did not want Hitler in my car (see previous post). I figured that the public transportation system of the greater DC area had to be pretty decent, since it serves so many people. It has to be better than the Memphis Area Transit Authority, right?!

Well, I did my research in an effort to make sure that I wasn't going to be left standing out in the cold (literally, it was 50 degrees). I checked the schedules, realized that the bus stop was right outside my hotel in the mall parking lot, and grabbed my metro pass. I headed out a little bit early, which is quite unusual for me, just to make sure that I didn't miss the buss. I got there with plenty of time, boarded the bus, and tried to use my metro pass to no avail. Cash or SmartCard only (as of January 4, 2009)! Alright, no biggie; there was another bus to my destination right behind the one I boarded. I run into the mall, buy a bottle of water, and get $10 cash back. I run back outside...to an empty parking lot. The worst part, the next bus wasn't scheduled for another hour. I could have driven back to the hotel, sat in my room for 20 minutes, headed back out, and make the next bus, but I didn't really see the value in driving across the parking lot to sit in my room for 20 minutes. I'm not really a mall person, either, so browsing the barely opened mall for 45 minutes was not up my alley either. So, on to plan C. I decided I would wait in my warm car and play with my fancy phone contraption. Off to the car I went so I could avoid the cool air, listen to the radio, and stimulate my brain with the handy "Crossword Lite" iphone application.

Next bus, one hour later, came and I boarded, this time with my cash ready. Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy! I was bound for the metro station, and in no time at all, I was aboard the orange line Metro and off to the National American History Museum for day two. All I can say is, WOW! I saw some of the most amazing historic artifact that I have ever heard of. I saw the kitchen where Julia Child worked her magic. I saw some of the most amazing dresses worn by our nation's first ladies. I saw the ruby red slippers worn by Judy Garland for her dancing scenes in

"The Wizard of Oz." I saw Abraham Lincoln's hat and suit, as well as plaster casts of his face and hands. I saw some incredible science exhibits, including some of our nation's most important "accidental" inventors. I saw the incredible growth and change that has taken place in the American Presidency, from the first days of George Washington's term to the present day of Obama's term. I saw a home, built in 1760, inhabited by ten different families over the past two centuries, that was rebuilt in the museum and decorated to showcase the various time periods of the families that lived there. Most astoundingly, however, was the Star Spangled Banner exhibit. In the war of 1812, between the very young America and the established Great Britian, America was threatened again, this time in a way that made our citizens much more uncertain than they were during the Revolution. The British made their way inland, torched the Capital and the White House, and continued to push the American troops to their limits. The came the battle of Baltimore. Francis Scott Key was aboard a vessel out in the Chesapeake Bay, where he witnessed the Royal Navy attempt to demolish Ft. McHenry. Most people thought that this battle, which would be easily won by the British, would mark the end of America. Just when all hope was apparently lost. The soldiers aboard the ships outside Ft. McHenry saw a very uplifting, incredible sight. The American flag, beaten and battered, was still flying over the fort, marking an American victory in that battle. The soldiers held on in Baltimore, which inspired the rest of the country. The Americans eventually won the War of 1812; however, what stemmed from this war had much longer lasting implications.

Francis Scott Key saw the beautiful sight of the majestic American Flag flying over the battered Ft. McHenry and was inspired to write a song to the tune of an old British drinking song. His words, used many time throughout the next several decades at various patriotic events, were eventually adopted by our nation as our national anthem. The sight of the 30x34 foot flag was breathtaking. It brought to mind all of the reasons that young men and women have fought for what they believe in for so many centuries. The hole-y, threadbare, handmade fabric was so inspiring that all I could do was say a small prayer of thanks for all of the soldiers that have fought to keep our nation safe, and a prayer of hope for those that are still working to allow us our cherished liberties. After three hours in the museum, the time had come for me to head back to la casa to prepare another gourmet meal in our sinfully exquisite kitchen.

I left the museum, boarded my designated orange Metro, and headed back to the VA area. I checked the bus schedule to make sure that I wouldn't miss the correct bus back my mall oasis. I knew that I would be cutting it close, but I figured that I would have at least five minutes to catch my bus after I got back to the metro station. When we pulled in, I looked at the clock. 4:30. Exactly two minutes after my bus left. I had to wait another 28 minutes before the next bus came. I did not know where else to wait except in the Plexiglas bus stop. All I have to say is that it was cold (and we all know how much I love that!). Once my wait was over, I boarded my bus, payed the appropriate amount of CASH that was necessary, and waited to be deposited at my destination. Little did I know was that this particular bus had to stop at every single stinkin' bus stop between the metro station and the mall. Between the traffic and the stopping, it took me two hours to get from the museum to my hotel room, completely equipped with a migraine headache. Thank goodness for my lovely husband, who helped cook dinner, and for the amazing sights that I saw between my metro excursions. I guess I'll be chauffeuring dead nationalist from now on...

How bored are you?

Well, I've heard my wonderful father-in-law say on more than one occasion say "He must not have been that hungry." He often says this when mentioning how someone says something to the effect "I'm hungry," then refuses to eat whatever is presented to him. For example, our cat Angus prefers to drink warm water from the faucet. I've said that he won't drink anything else (even though we all know that he really will), to which my f-i-l says "He must not be that thirsty."

Monday, I had a private pity party in my luxury, Trumpesque hotel room. J was at work all day, and I watched more NCIS than I ever have in my life. Tuesday, I rolled around in the bed while Kathie Lee and Hoda spouted some nonsense about something (I still don't know why they earn a paycheck). I took a field trip to my new neighborhood to pick up the keys for the PO Box. Then I fixed dinner in our gourmet kitchen. Today, I decided I was "that" bored. I heeded my father-in-law's unspoken advice and decided today was the day to take a field trip and explore the fantastic city in which I was deposited. I decided that with the plethora of free, public institutions at my disposal in the city, it was time to explore.

I settled my mind on the fact that I was going to have to venture well outside my comfort zone and drive to an unknown location, catch a foreign mode of transportation, then walk (unaccompanied) around our nation's capital. I succeeded in the aforementioned activities and found myself outside the Metro stop, standing in the midst of the Washington Monument and the Capital building.

"Holy crap," I thought. "That's the freakin' Washington Monument on my left." "Holy crap, again," I thought,

again. "That's our nation's Capital building on my right."

Once I had relished in the greatness of the city in which I was standing, I proceeded to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. This was my destination because I have always been fascinated by American History, and J wants to visit the Museum of Natural History together. Since this was more of an exploratory expedition, I only had about an hour and a half to spend here. However, I could spend more time in that museum than Claudia Kincaid did in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (thanks, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler). I spent the entire amount of my limited time in the "American's at War" exhibit. All I can say is that it was breathtaking! Here are a few of the pictures that I was able to take. I'm sure I'll have more from my next adventure.

General George Washington's Dress Uniform, often worn for paintings.

A replica drawing of the first flag. Three pieces (left) taken from the original, on display elsewhere in the museum.

The Nazi flag of Germany and the Japanese flag flown in those nations during World War II.

I wonder if this kind of propaganda would work today?

"Carpool, or bin Laden wins!"

I bet they changed this slogan after the end of this war...

I'm sure this is exactly why my grandfather signed up!

Does this sound like Dale Jones, or what?

Pieces of the Berlin wall, which fell in 1989.

Wreckage recovered from one of the World Trade Towers after the attacks on September 11.

We have an address!

So, I guess it's official. We are now residents of Virginia, even if all we have is a post office box. Despite our slightly better than deplorable current living arrangements, we are now able to receive mail! I will have all of the bills and other vital information currently being sent to Memphis forwarded to our new post, but feel free to send us something (besides your own personal bills). Once you have licked the stamp (and while trying to clean off the sticky stuff already on the back) and sealed the envelop, you can silently laugh to yourself while you imagine me checking this P.O. Box because it is, of course, located on the top row of the rest of the boxes. I am forced to stand on the tips of my toes to even attempt to peer into the empty box. Help remedy this situation by having me peer into the box that appears to be empty from my perspective, but actually contains a sweet little something! For now, our new address is:

Joshua and Elizabeth Jones

P.O. Box 651111

Sterling, VA 20165-1111

Luckily, there are only 31 more nights in this fabulous resort-like bungalow before we close on our palacial mansion. Keep the prayers and good thoughts coming!

Day 1 in "Paradise"

The house was packed, the carpets were vacuumed, the hardwoods were swept, and the lights were turned off. Then the tears began. I am one of those paranoid types; I check my purse for the house keys while I'm in the house, before I walk out the front door, when I'm right outside the front door before I close the locked door. I have some strange, inherent fear of being locked out of my house, so when I had to intentionally lock my keys into my dark, empty home on Thursday, it was traumatizing, needless to stay. I suppose this event was so traumatic since it was the first home Josh and I shared. When I met him, we went to his house one night, at which point I discovered it was empty (because his furniture had yet to be delivered). My friends told me to run screaming the other way because he was most definitely a serial killer and was going to murder me and hide me in his floorboards. (Clearly, a little too much Law & Order: SVU.) Thank goodness I've never been one to listen to what other people say! This was the house where Josh asked me to marry him. This was the house where we brought all of our animals home. This was the house where we returned after our wedding. This was the house that we called home for three years. Now this is the home that we must sell because we are starting anew in Sterling, VA. I am very excited about our new house (not quite yet a home); unfortunately, we cannot inhabit this structure until December. In the meantime, we are residing in the Extended Stay America hotel in the parking lot of the Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, VA. I've only been here since Saturday, but I am fearing that the "stir-crazy" aspects of hotel living will set in soon. Luckily, there are plenty of outdoor trails and parks near the new house. I've decided, since I don't really have anything else to do, I'm starting a 30-day fitness challenge. I'll let you know how that goes, because we all know that reality and plans are not always the same thing. <3 E