9/11 Memorial

We went to the Pentagon Memorial on the evening of September 11, 2014 - 13 years after a plane sliced through the building killing 184 people. I had been to the Pentagon Memorial in 2008 when it opened and we also went when Leslie was here. But we felt it was appropriate to visit and pay our respect on September 11.

It is a little eerie to be at the Pentagon looking at the building and remembering the events of September 11 and see and hear a plane above.

This is the Air Force Memorial

The memorial is simply beautiful.

We were able to watch them roll up the flag.

Guest Room!

I love, love, love our guest room. It is my favorite spot in the entire house. We have put a lot of thought and effort into this room. The guest room is on the second floor along with my bedroom, Princess's bedroom and a bathroom. The guest bedroom has a theme - DC! Everything in that room has to relate to the DC area in one way or another. 

I found this puzzle at a cute little bookstore in northwest DC. We had a family puzzle night and put it together in about 3 hours. It was a lot of fun!

Now for some photos of the room. We have a brand new queen size bed with my adorable polka dot bed set I bought in Dallas a couple years ago. On the bed is a tray and on the tray is a DC Starbucks mug for our guest to keep as a reminder of their awesome time in DC. Inside the cup is a metro card (because it is cheaper to have the card then the paper stub - you do have to put your own money on the card and I do ask for the card back), also in the cup is hand sanitizer - trust me you need it when riding the metro :). Also on the tray is a pretty fun guest letter with important information - like our Wifi log in and password and last is an andes mint for your pillow. I don't actually put the mint on your pillow cause I don't want you to not see it and fall asleep on it. This photo has two of everything because we had two guests staying with us.

 Next to the bed is reading material on DC/Maryland/Virgina, a bible and brochures/maps of places to visit while you are here. On the bottom is basic toiletries you may have forgotten like shampoo and conditioner or a toothbrush or sleeping aids. Not pictured we also provide snacks and bottled water.

 We also provide a coffee and hot water station with a variety of coffees, teas and hot chocolate.

 We provide a dresser to put your clothes in or if you like to hang your clothes we have hangers in the closet. On the back of the door are robes and clean towels, wash clothes and hand towels. On the dresser are fresh cut flowers, along with the Washingtonian (another thing to read while you spend time in your room - haha, just joking I will keep you so busy that the only thing you will do in here is sleep!). Also we have provided our guests with locally homemade soaps that guests also may take home with them.

 Speaking of things to take home - feel free to write a postcard or two to a loved one while you are here.

 For wall decor we made this awesome canvas from photos we have personally taken from around DC and Virginia.

 

 These were added to the wall after Becky and Julie left. This was a gift they gave to me - money fresh off the press from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing from right here in DC! It is a must do while here.

While guests are getting their coffee or tea ready, they can study the metro map so they now how to get to your destination without looking like a tourist.

 But what if more than one or two people come at one time to visit? No problem because Princess's room can easily be changed into a second bedroom (not as glamorous but still pretty comfy).

 And what if a child comes? No problem - we got that covered as well. The child can have their own bed, blankets and towel!

 We are ready for your visit!     

Random Life

Not every post is going to be about seeing or doing something cool (though there are plenty of those). This is one of those just life in DC kind of posts. 

As I am doing this blog catch up phase, I realized that I don't actually have any pictures of the house. Oh well,if you have Skyped with me you have seen the house and in the next post, I'll post guest room photos. 

We rented the house before any of us were in DC. It took us well over a month and a half to find a place. We looked as far north as Silver Spring, Maryland and as far south as Alexandria, VA - it is a lot of area to cover. When we found a place we liked we looked at crime reports, proximity to the metro and we searched the landlords to make sure we were not getting scammed. It was a lot of work. But we finally found this house that we are currently in. We don't particularly like it - but it will work for a year. In July we are planning on moving, we are not sure where but hopefully somewhere a little bigger and a little closer to a metro station. The house was dirty and had random stuff left in from previous tenants. Tuf found this shelf outside and after asking I spray painted it red (to match Tuf's kitchen) and we use it to hold all our new Starbucks mugs!

As I have mentioned a few times, Tuf and Anthony have a lot of pets. But Manny and I have been the best of friends for his whole life, so he gets to visit Princess and I and on the weekends he gets to sleep up here.

Princess and Manny are always fighting over Princess's blanket :)

 

 Princess loves the sun on her new spot on the back of my chair. 

 

Karin sent me an awesome care package in September. It included my favorite things!

 Oh the Virginia DMV, how I don't like you! Before I started working I went and changed my plates and while I asked for the cardinal plate (in honor of GG), I got the lamest plate ever - Virginia is for lovers (so stupid!), thankfully my BSU license plate holders hide the stupid saying. Weird to see Bumblebee with Virginia license plates.

 About a week after I got the plates, I got pulled over (the first time I have ever been pulled over!), because the police officer ran my plates and it came back driver not licensed...because I hadn't gotten a Virginia license, I was licensed, in the amazing state of Idaho! I explained to the cop that I had tried to get a license but I didn't have my birth certificate with me and then I started working and well the DMV here is horrible. He completely agreed with me and just let me go with a warning. I did go and get my license on a Saturday morning. I am not showing that picture on here, because the photo is HORRIBLE! I am going to advocate moving to Maryland next year so I can get a new license. When I showed the photo to Ri a month ago - she laughed so hard that she cried :(
This was the line at the DMV before 8am on a Saturday morning - cray, cray! 

Not a Costa Vida salad :(

 Tuf and I voted as first time as Commonwealth of Virginia voters. I made her take this picture :)

 DC is known for their protests, but I hadn't seen one. Until, one day at lunch I was walking around (I usually just wander the streets at lunch to see what I find) and I came across this protest. It is from a group that calls themselves Anonymous. I had never heard of them but it was cool to seea  protest - I did stay behind the very heavily guard police line. I probably saw at least 5 different departments watching the protestors from DC police to FBI to secret service to homeland security to capitol police. I see some of the weirdest things in DC and I love it!

I am in love with my rain boots! I have wanted rain boots for years, but let's be honest, Boise gets close to zero moisture. However, it rains likes everyday in DC - therefore, fun rain boots are a necessity! 

Merry Christmas

 Merry Christmas!!!

Love, Mere!

All my Christmas posts will start posting the end of February.

Until then, please keep enjoying the DC posts!