Summer

Getting your nails done by Aunt The-The is always a must.

 

Molly

Good to be home!

D.C. Fireworks

This is our view of the D.C. fireworks.  We got stuck in traffic that wouldn't move.  We basically only got to see what came over the tree tops.  But with only a pathetic 15 minute show it was actually worth just sitting in an air conditioned car for the whole thing.

 

Zoo

Andy and I decided to go to the zoo one Saturday.  Not the best choice considering how hot it became, but we did get a parking spot for free on the street only a block from the entrance.  Score.

 

We saw a leopard first at the zoo.  By the way, it was so hot there that day.  Even the animals were hot.  

 

Next to the leopard, was the three pens holding the animals that the leopards eats.  Lovely..

We were so excited to see the pandas.  They were indoors that day because it was too hot outside of course.  Um...yeah, we came to the first panda and found it was dead asleep....and not giving us the best view.

And the second one was sitting eating bamboo.

Elephants were also inside out of the heat.  Only one was outside spraying itself with water. 

Oh, then we got a great view of the tiger...

only to have it go to a corner, get down in the water, and not get out. 

The lions were actually the best animals.  They gave us the most show.

Working on your claws is a must if you are a girl.

Hot day but good time.

Fire

I turned around from cooking the other day when I smelled something like smoke.  It was my pot holder behind me on a counter on fire.  Along with some other little things on fire too.  Such as garlic on fire.  Didn't have to call the fire department of course, but was a little surprised to see flames shooting up.  Nothing like fire to spark up your life a little. 

 

Our New TV

Andy and I recently agreed that it was time to move on in the TV world.  We both owned what we lovingly called...The Dinosaurs.  Not only were they old, but they were so heavy that breaking your back would be a possibility when moving one of them down four levels of stairs to the dumpsters outside.  We did not break our backs, but we did receive a good workout and several bruises carrying both to their final destination.  

 

We also realized that if we were going to get a new TV, there would be no way it would fit in the square spot reserved for Dinosaur TV's in our hand-me-down (thank you Rebecca) entertainment center.  So, after years of use, we also lugged the heavy wood frame down to the same dumpsters...again down four levels of stairs. 

 

But, in the end, it was worth it.  We got a new TV stand, and after quite a bit of shoving into our car with the help of Best Buy's elite, we also got our new TV.  And the best thing about it...

 

It's not a Dinosaur! 

Guess Where?

We spent a free morning over Memorial Day visiting Mount Vernon.  Andy has never been there before.  I do believe the horse flies and long lines where enough for him by the end.  It must have made a huge impact on Andy though, because at the end we went into the museum to look around and Andy saw this huge portrait of this man.  He said, "I wonder who that guy was".  To which I replied, "That would be George Washington".   Sigh...

 

New York City

I headed to New York City for another 8th grade class trip year.  The city looked the best as we left. 

I at least had a somewhat good view from my hotel room.

Of course it was raining when we got there and every worker in the Empire State Building seemed to take delight in telling our group that there was no view from the top.  I thought maybe we might see a little bit out in front of us, but just not far away.  Yeah, we could see nothing.  The kids said they felt like we were in heaven.   

A few minutes later it started to clear up at the top. 

You felt like you were on top of the world actually.  The clouds were all below us and we were above the clouds. 

We got just a tiny glimpse of some tall buildings before the clouds covered them up again.  It was enough to get some great pictures.  Wouldn't you know, about an hour later after dinner, I look up to the top and it's crystal clear.  So it goes. 

We went to a Broadway show that night and the set design was awesome.  And even though we were in the "balcony" of the balcony as Les Hambridge said.  I did get us front row seats there and everyone thought it was a great view.  It really was. 

Outside NBC Studios there are all these stone structures.  It's supposed to be art, sitting there for about 2 months.  Yeah, we weren't impressed. 

We had another great lunch in Chinatown and had to stop in at the Seid family store to say thank you for providing and setting up the lunch.  This is Sylven's mom.   

Then off to Brooklyn Bridge.  

I had to get at least one shot of the 9-11 Memorial.  I thought it was so pretty.

Then off to Times Square for the evening and the M&M store...my favorite spot!

Teacher Appreciation Week

I received this beautiful hanging flower basket from my students for Teacher Appreciation Week.   It was very nice, but as I told Andy, I have no idea where they meant for me to hang it, since I live in an apartment.  Sadly, I had to give it away.  It was a nice thought...without thinking actually involved. 

 

 

New apartment - Wildwood Park

Alright...yes, I know it's been awhile.  We've been busy and at the same time have nothing interesting going on...until now.  We are moving to a new apartment complex called Wildwood Park.  It's really not far from Westmont Gardens where we live now.  Probably just a mile away at the most.  It's actually close to my first apartment in which I lived.  We picked this place because it has elevators and laundry in the apartment.  So, here is home sweet home.  We will be on the sixth floor in the back of the building.  We will also be about a block or less from our grocery store.  Actually, we'll probably see it from our apartment window.  The place also has a huge outdoor pool, tennis court, indoor hair salon, convenience store, game room with pool tables, and a newly renovated exercise room.  All in all we "hope" this will be a good change.  We'll have to see.  We move in on April 27th.    

 

A look down at the back of the place.  We will be in the center on the left side of it. 

 

Count up.  We are on the sixth floor at the windows right above the top of the tree.  And it's also direct afternoon sunlight.   Oh, boy...thank you for air conditioning.  We are happy with the place so far because it's at the end of the hallway and our bedroom will not share a wall with another apartment.  Therefore, we plan on a peaceful sleep at night.  And this is city living folks!  Feel free to come and visit...clearDadthroat.  :)