So Monday and Tuesday were conference days. They were long and my ass hurt like a son of a bitch from sitting all day by the time I was done but it was all very well worth it. We got one hour of happy hour, open bar, all paid for by the NAHB, thanks very much. I think I had like 3 bloody marys in that time.
Dinner was a few blocks away at another place, can't for the life of me remember the name of it. Dinner was great and the drinks were even better. Founders Punch was the name of the drink we had, a few of them, and yum yum yum they were delish.
So Tuesday after the conference, there were a few of us that were staying another night due to not having a flight in a good time or whatever the reason might have been. We decided to go to Arlington. Well, I had already decided this. The rest of the gals jumped at the chance once they found out where I was going. I was happy to have the company. I met some new friends and will be keeping in touch with them! Arlington was quite the journey. You don't realize how many tombstones, how huge that place is until you are up inside of it. holy wah. Ok, tears spilled there too. Sunglasses still on.
The one thing I did not like was just how touristy Arlington had become. SO many fieldtrips and kids!!! It drove me nuts! Oh well, what do you do. We chose Tortilla Flats for dinner, more drinks, margaritas of course. Then back to the hotel and I think we all just zonked out, we were exhausted.
Wednesday I had the morning to myself do I decided to hit up the Smithsonian American History Museum. This was emotional as well. It took you thru all of the wars America was involved in. I saw the original Stars and Stripes flag. Wow is it huge. Like, the size of a whole room. I felt so small standing there watching ol Glory lay there. I saw the Continental Gunboat Philadelphia from 1776. It was recovered out of the water and wow. Still mostly intact, whats left of it. That was cool. I touched the piece of the Berlin Wall, that put a lump in my throat. I touched a piece of the steel column from inside one of the two towers. That put an even bigger lump in my throat. Just so much history. So much death. So much overcome. So much progress as well. I did not get to stop and read everything, I would have been there all day. But I got pictures. Lots of pictures. All on Facebook right now cause they were taking up too much space on my phone. LOL.
All in all it was a great trip. I was happy to be coming home. I missed my lake and my boys. Did that make me a Yooper? What are you crazy!! Displaced cheesehead. Who is in absolute love with the lake. And a yooper.
...Speaking of that Yooper....so my hips are so sore, my feet are tired, I am mentally and physically just exhausted and jetlagged so I dont want to do anything but shower and sleep when I get home. Of course, the kitchen is a mess....grrrr. Mothers Day is coming up. I wonder if my kids will get me like a gift certificate to have the house cleaned. or a massage. And a pedicure and hair done and you know, like a spa day. Yeah right. LOL. Like THAT will happen!!! :-) I will just be happen to see my kid on Mothers Day. Boys......
Finally Friday, caught up and drinking my wine....Have a great weekend...
~It's good to be home....xoxox
'Lovin da Yoop....
Friday, April 29, 2016
Tourist in DC - Part 3
First off - I have to apologize for not keeping up with the blog, life got away from me out in DC and I was just busy and then just exhausted.
So I love Uber. For those of you not familiar, it is an independent taxi service. They are fast and they are SO much cheaper than a taxi! I called one to come get from the hotel and take me to the WWII memorial. It was about 80 degrees out. Great I thought, no sun screen or sun hat. Please don't get fried. The WWII Memorial was pretty big and pretty awesome. The American flag that stands there is just massive. I posted all of my pictures on Facebook. The Washington Memorial is right across the street and the reflecting pond is on the other side of the memorial. I took pictures in between all of the tourists and field trips. It was pretty cool. Off towards the Lincoln Memorial. The reflecting pond was pretty neat as well, although upon close inspection, it was green and full of algae but you could still see coins representing hopeful wishes sitting at the bottom. How ironic. Wishes sitting at the bottom. So I got to the Lincoln Memorial and was very intimidated by the sheer amount of steps. I did not count them but it looked like ALOT. And there were just a TON of people. Ok, let's go right. Off to the Vietnam War Memorial - The Wall. This was emotional. The amount of names on the wall. I admit, tears rolled, but in usual badass fashion, I kept my sunglasses on. There were not a lot of vets out during the day, I heard a lot of them come in the evening when there are not so many tourists. It was a site to see that is for sure. A very close friend of mine, Giggles, asked me to find his cousins name. he had been there before but he gave me the numbers on how to find him. After talking to the guide, I finally found his name. Back up past the tourists. OK, I climbed the steps. All the way to the top. So, I am out of shape. Like I have not been to the gym in probably a good 5 years, well, since the first year I worked at Hoffman. 2012? Ok 4 years. I have put on 20 pounds since 2012. Ok maybe 25 but who is counting? And I did not have my inhaler (asthma), my hips were already hurting from all of the walking (arthritis). Hell with it. I walked up the steps around the dozens and dozens of tourists. Once you got to the top, you could not move. I snapped more pictures...caught my breath and trucked on back down. off to the Korean War memorial.
This was quite interesting. There were tons of statues displayed, all with different expressions on their faces. I guess if you look at them at Dusk, you can really really see the emotion in their face.
After that I was about done. Called my Uber ride and went back to the hotel. I ordered room service. Dinner was amazing but I was sick the rest of the night. So much for day 1!!!
Exhausted and Sleepy....
So I love Uber. For those of you not familiar, it is an independent taxi service. They are fast and they are SO much cheaper than a taxi! I called one to come get from the hotel and take me to the WWII memorial. It was about 80 degrees out. Great I thought, no sun screen or sun hat. Please don't get fried. The WWII Memorial was pretty big and pretty awesome. The American flag that stands there is just massive. I posted all of my pictures on Facebook. The Washington Memorial is right across the street and the reflecting pond is on the other side of the memorial. I took pictures in between all of the tourists and field trips. It was pretty cool. Off towards the Lincoln Memorial. The reflecting pond was pretty neat as well, although upon close inspection, it was green and full of algae but you could still see coins representing hopeful wishes sitting at the bottom. How ironic. Wishes sitting at the bottom. So I got to the Lincoln Memorial and was very intimidated by the sheer amount of steps. I did not count them but it looked like ALOT. And there were just a TON of people. Ok, let's go right. Off to the Vietnam War Memorial - The Wall. This was emotional. The amount of names on the wall. I admit, tears rolled, but in usual badass fashion, I kept my sunglasses on. There were not a lot of vets out during the day, I heard a lot of them come in the evening when there are not so many tourists. It was a site to see that is for sure. A very close friend of mine, Giggles, asked me to find his cousins name. he had been there before but he gave me the numbers on how to find him. After talking to the guide, I finally found his name. Back up past the tourists. OK, I climbed the steps. All the way to the top. So, I am out of shape. Like I have not been to the gym in probably a good 5 years, well, since the first year I worked at Hoffman. 2012? Ok 4 years. I have put on 20 pounds since 2012. Ok maybe 25 but who is counting? And I did not have my inhaler (asthma), my hips were already hurting from all of the walking (arthritis). Hell with it. I walked up the steps around the dozens and dozens of tourists. Once you got to the top, you could not move. I snapped more pictures...caught my breath and trucked on back down. off to the Korean War memorial.
This was quite interesting. There were tons of statues displayed, all with different expressions on their faces. I guess if you look at them at Dusk, you can really really see the emotion in their face.
After that I was about done. Called my Uber ride and went back to the hotel. I ordered room service. Dinner was amazing but I was sick the rest of the night. So much for day 1!!!
Exhausted and Sleepy....
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
DC part 2
So the flight to DC from Chicago was short, thank god. It was a much larger plane, 6 seats across but very small seats. Very cramped, no room for much. Could not cross your legs, sit back, move around much. I read a book and made the best of it.
After arriving in DC I grabbed my luggage but not before stopping at the America gift store. Spent a few bucks there and headed to luggage claim. I must have spent more time in the gift store than planned, as my bags were sitting in the middle of baggage claim with no one around them.
I had ended up checking the second bag, as I was just sick of carting it around.
Off to find a ride. I checked in with the airport shuttle to the hotel. $14. No thanks. I got on my Uber app on my phone and away we went.
Check in went smooth and the room I got was very nice. Huge fluffy pillows. I quick got changed, it was about 80 degrees out so I threw a tank top on and headed out to be a tourist.
After arriving in DC I grabbed my luggage but not before stopping at the America gift store. Spent a few bucks there and headed to luggage claim. I must have spent more time in the gift store than planned, as my bags were sitting in the middle of baggage claim with no one around them.
I had ended up checking the second bag, as I was just sick of carting it around.
Off to find a ride. I checked in with the airport shuttle to the hotel. $14. No thanks. I got on my Uber app on my phone and away we went.
Check in went smooth and the room I got was very nice. Huge fluffy pillows. I quick got changed, it was about 80 degrees out so I threw a tank top on and headed out to be a tourist.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
The trip from the U.P to Washington DC Part 1
So I am on my way to Washington DC to an executive officer conference for work. Flying out of Sawyer, to Chicago and then to Reagan in DC. Trying to stay entertained and document my trip.
So I woke up with an icky tummy. I don't think it was nerves. Being a military brat, I have flown plenty. I love flying. I know the routine, the process, and don't mind the turbulence. I love flying. Who knows what it was. Maybe the 100 proof captains I had the night before, but I only had 2 so that shouldn't be it either. Oh well. I downed some toast and made the best of it.
KI Sawyer airport is tiny. The check in was right there when u walk thru the door. There is no big airport to walk thru. So Tony and Asa came to see me off. It was not an emotional goodbye, I am only going to be gone for 3 days. I am sure they will enjoy their guy time together and not miss my nagging about picking up after people or this or that. I have to admit, as much as I will miss 'debating' with Asa every day (we don't argue, we debate) or trying to figure out what to make for super or that everyone has a decent lunch, I am looking forward to a tiny break. Where people cook for me and housekeeping cleans my room lol. And I will miss my honey to snuggle with. I have a hard time sleeping without him. Xo.
So getting thru security didn't take long, it's just a pain in the ass. Taking the laptop out of the carry on, take the shoes off, take the sweatshirt off. Put everything back in and back on. Boarding was quick but the plane was SO SMALL.
I felt sorry for the very large men trying to fit in between the wall off the plane and the metal arm rest that did not move. Arms and shoulders all sticking out into the isle. Looked uncomfortable. I lucked out. There were 3 seats across: 1 seat, isle, then 2 seats. I was in the 2 seat part with no neighbor. Yay!!! That made me happy. Will I get as lucky on the next flight? This will be a bigger plane no doubt, going into DC. I hope. I could care less if I have a window seat or not. They are nice but I don't care where I sit. Just hate sitting in the back next to the bathrooms. Pew.
So the plane is so small my carry on does not fit in the overhead. Dammit. So I have to wait until everyone boards, haul my bag to the front to tell the stewardess it doesn't fit. So the valet guys will take it then she tells me to take out the laptop first. Ok I take out the laptop. Then she tells me nevermind let's just put it in the front closet here it will fit. Ok. So I repack the laptop. Again. I need a tablet. Honey did u hear that? Kids? Mothers day is coming up I need a nice tablet so when I travel, this big ass laptop can stay the hell home. And it's heavy. So I squeeze thru the tiny isle and back to my seat. It was a nice flight. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the big lake on the way out but it was too cloudy and we were enclosed in white fluffy clouds shortly after takeoff. So I read. Played on my phone and read.
Got to chicago, I am wearing a tank top AND a long sleeved shirt. Ok Toto we are not at home anymore. Whew. First thing, find my gate. Check. Find a bathroom. Check. Change clothes!! I opted to keep the tank top and throw on a Harley short sleeved shirt. Much better. Thankfully after standing in line I got the handicapped stall with lots of room instead of trying to stuff my big ass, my bag, my purse and sweatshirt into a tiny stall, pee and change. Lucking out so far. You hear that Jim, the gods are on my side today. I should not say that too loud, I am about to get on another plane soon....
Stay tuned for the arrival to Reagan International Airport, the trip to the hotel and my adventure out to the Wall.
Xoxox
Omg I almost typed Yooper tourist right there. What do u call it when u think something u shouldn't. Like when u wanna wash ur mouth out with soap but it's in your head lol. Not a yooper. Not yet.
Displaced traveling cheesehead?? And I refuse to go sit in the Bears or Cubs restaurants :-)
So I woke up with an icky tummy. I don't think it was nerves. Being a military brat, I have flown plenty. I love flying. I know the routine, the process, and don't mind the turbulence. I love flying. Who knows what it was. Maybe the 100 proof captains I had the night before, but I only had 2 so that shouldn't be it either. Oh well. I downed some toast and made the best of it.
KI Sawyer airport is tiny. The check in was right there when u walk thru the door. There is no big airport to walk thru. So Tony and Asa came to see me off. It was not an emotional goodbye, I am only going to be gone for 3 days. I am sure they will enjoy their guy time together and not miss my nagging about picking up after people or this or that. I have to admit, as much as I will miss 'debating' with Asa every day (we don't argue, we debate) or trying to figure out what to make for super or that everyone has a decent lunch, I am looking forward to a tiny break. Where people cook for me and housekeeping cleans my room lol. And I will miss my honey to snuggle with. I have a hard time sleeping without him. Xo.
So getting thru security didn't take long, it's just a pain in the ass. Taking the laptop out of the carry on, take the shoes off, take the sweatshirt off. Put everything back in and back on. Boarding was quick but the plane was SO SMALL.
I felt sorry for the very large men trying to fit in between the wall off the plane and the metal arm rest that did not move. Arms and shoulders all sticking out into the isle. Looked uncomfortable. I lucked out. There were 3 seats across: 1 seat, isle, then 2 seats. I was in the 2 seat part with no neighbor. Yay!!! That made me happy. Will I get as lucky on the next flight? This will be a bigger plane no doubt, going into DC. I hope. I could care less if I have a window seat or not. They are nice but I don't care where I sit. Just hate sitting in the back next to the bathrooms. Pew.
So the plane is so small my carry on does not fit in the overhead. Dammit. So I have to wait until everyone boards, haul my bag to the front to tell the stewardess it doesn't fit. So the valet guys will take it then she tells me to take out the laptop first. Ok I take out the laptop. Then she tells me nevermind let's just put it in the front closet here it will fit. Ok. So I repack the laptop. Again. I need a tablet. Honey did u hear that? Kids? Mothers day is coming up I need a nice tablet so when I travel, this big ass laptop can stay the hell home. And it's heavy. So I squeeze thru the tiny isle and back to my seat. It was a nice flight. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the big lake on the way out but it was too cloudy and we were enclosed in white fluffy clouds shortly after takeoff. So I read. Played on my phone and read.
Got to chicago, I am wearing a tank top AND a long sleeved shirt. Ok Toto we are not at home anymore. Whew. First thing, find my gate. Check. Find a bathroom. Check. Change clothes!! I opted to keep the tank top and throw on a Harley short sleeved shirt. Much better. Thankfully after standing in line I got the handicapped stall with lots of room instead of trying to stuff my big ass, my bag, my purse and sweatshirt into a tiny stall, pee and change. Lucking out so far. You hear that Jim, the gods are on my side today. I should not say that too loud, I am about to get on another plane soon....
Stay tuned for the arrival to Reagan International Airport, the trip to the hotel and my adventure out to the Wall.
Xoxox
Omg I almost typed Yooper tourist right there. What do u call it when u think something u shouldn't. Like when u wanna wash ur mouth out with soap but it's in your head lol. Not a yooper. Not yet.
Displaced traveling cheesehead?? And I refuse to go sit in the Bears or Cubs restaurants :-)
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