It's almost vacation time for us people

My family will be vacationing very soon. We will be cross country driving to Washington DC to see Emma and explore that part of our land. I said land because I didn't want to use country twice in the same sentence. John and Owen have never been to DC, so we are gonna see the sights and have some fun, and walk more than I have in 2 months and ache and moan and wish I had prepared better and even maybe consider buying a Segway. OK, that's not really true about the Segway, but the rest really is true.  

I'm looking forward to the road trip and seeing some more of our lovely (currently people whacked out) country. Oy vey with the crazy going on in DC right now, and we are heading into the belly of the beast! Lord have mercy on us and teach us all to give grace and mercy. Especially on social media! Social media is the scourge of the earth, honestly it is. All people have opinions and social media allows a platform for all people to give their opinions freely. It's a terrible idea. I just can't. I have opinions too! But I don't need to give them freely! NO ONE DOES! 

And that's all I have to say about that. 

In preparation for our DC trip, I'm posting about my first DC trip when Carrie and I went way back in February. I've checked multi times and I don't think I ever posted about it so here it is. Just in time. I really can't believe I've actually been places in the last year besides Texas....not that there's anything wrong with that. I love Texas! But I've now been to Pittsburgh, New York and Washington DC. No one talk to me, I'm just too snooty about all my travels.  

I mean....I know how to buy plane tickets now. 

And I've now been on like 5 of these in my life.

I'm like a spurt.

That's short for expert. Only people who have traveled as much as me would actually know that though. 

I bet that dog has traveled more than me, If so, I'd be very upset.

I very kindly made Carrie book a center seat so I could have buffer from strangers. I'm nothing if not giving. 

I'm also apparently great at plane photos....no idea.

I also rented my first ever car in a foreign city. Well....not foreign...but you know, foreign.

No. Idea.

First stop after we got there, an old favorite. I've now eaten Chick-fil-a in Virginia. Have you? I'm so sophisticated.  

Super cute rental! Loved it!

We were Connecticut people back then.

Our main purpose for the trip was to help Emma move into her new apartment, but by the time we got there, she had moved everything she owned by herself using suitcases. Because she did that, we got to do the fun stuff like shopping and filling the place up with super cute stuff. We shopped til we dropped at every Target, Ikea, Marshall's and T.J. Maxx we could find in Maryland and Virginia. 

Bought an roning board...

There was left over snow from the historic blizzard. It was no longer pretty. 

I mean.....the Pentagon is just right there! Right there!

And so is the Washington Monument...it's just there.

So is the Capitol. Just drive right by it.

That's something....don't remember what.

I could do this with every place. You see it on TV and boom it's right there. 

Supreme Court. TV. Boom

There it is again. It was so not where I thought this was gonna be in its spot. Street right there with the W monument. Like BOOM. 

On our first day there we went to Ikea and looked at all things Ikea. After looking at ALL things Ikea, Emma chose a bookcase/cubby type situation. Well it was heavy as hades and the thought of getting it up into her building, through the halls and up multi floors, was daunting to say the least. What to do? Suitcase!! We used her suitcase to wheel the heavy box the whole way up to her place. 

It was quite something, but worked perfectly. 

There she goes with the suitcase/mover. 

That's her storm trooper lamp from Ikea.

Her room has no overhead lighting so we bought many lamps. 

One lamp.

Carrie bought her these shelves.

She got two super cute side tables for 20 bucks apiece! And another cute lamp.From Ikea.

In between our shopping, we ran around town looking at all things we could squeeze in while there. 

Super cute houses.

On our way to back to Virginia and there it is again, the Pentagon. 

The 9/11 memorial. I sorta don't get it. No disrespect at all. 

While in Virginia, we found and bought many things including this chair. 

After we shopped, we raced back home to empty the car, because George and Martha were waiting. 

It's George's house. He lived there. And now I'm there. I just...I can't....

George is there. Well, you know....

His. House. It's George Washington's house. 

Waiting for the house tour to go see inside George Washington's house.

He lived here!

George knew how to pick em. The Potomac, there it is. After seeing where George lived, I feel like he would have loved Corsicana. He clearly enjoyed a great view. George never heard of Corsicana. Because it didn't exist when he lived! That's wild and crazy stuff. 

There's the house....

And there's the Potomac. It's as good as Libby. Ugh Libby. I forgot her at home. 

I'm sorry for bragging but I was having an EXCELLENT hair day. 

Then we had to move on.

To the gift shop. Had to do a hat picture. 

Of course that big blur is the White House. 

Gorgeous sunset on our way to see Abraham. He and George are my favorites. Add Libby to that list of course.  

Carrie had said earlier in the day she hoped we could get to the Lincoln Memorial around the time of the sunset and I poo poo'd her. No way could we make that happen.  

It happened and it was HUGE.

So many colors to choose from and it was unforgettable. 

Remember that time we were at the Lincoln Memorial and the sunset was epically unforgettable?

Yes, yes I do.

It was amazing.

Turn around and boom.

This city deserves better than the people who run it. 

First glimpse of Abraham. 

Abraham.....Abraham. You're singing it now aren't you? This picture....

Was a response to this picture...

Plus one.

I could have stayed for hours. Loved it on a par with Libby.

Emma dropped us off to walk up to the....

Washington Monument. It's just right there!!

This picture was in response....

To this picture. Call me original, I will answer.

The next day we went touring.

Group selfie.

This...is because... 

Of this.

That's Thomas Jefferson if you were wondering. 

Emma in her spot.

Killing time, we froze our hineys off while waiting to meet Emma after work.

The capitol is still under renovation.

I'll take two please.

Before we knew it, it was time to pack up and fly away home. 

Emma was not celebrating our leaving.

Look at that closet organization!

That's the cubby thing from Ikea. Carrie is not from Ikea. She's from Merica.

Her reading nook.

Never forget, Louisiana is home. 

We left on a rainy day.

Above the clouds is not my first choice. 

Looks like milk or something else white.

The circle with the line through it is always there to remind people not to ride outside the plane on the wing. The MOST necessary sign ever made in the world. 

The south is just better.

And that was my inaugural trip to Washington DC. Lets do it again soon! OK! 

In the meantime, I've packed every single working pair of pants I own, and tons of shirts and shoes. And yet I have no hope of having wonderfully satisfied feet this time next week. 

I've actually typed out an itinerary with the hope of each one of us getting to see as much as we can and want. The girls and I are having tea on Wednesday afternoon and all of us are going to a Nationals/Mets game Wednesday night. Rain or shine. 

Also on the agenda is Teddy Roosevelt Island, Georgetown, Mt. Vernon and maybe a day trip into Virginia to see Jamestown and stuff like that. I have to say it's not in my nature to plan, I like the trip to just happen. I'm a "see what happens next" type person when road tripping. And I have to say when a trip like this is in my near future, I feel very overwhelmed, but once it begins, I'm all....woo hoo!! Lets do this thing. I'm not quite there yet. 

Olivia is currently baking travel cookies and I'm soon off to get a haircut and to the grocery store...for the one hundredth time. 

I'm praying for fun and safe travels for all.

Vacations for everyone!