Sewing Project: New Jean Skirt

So I bought a cheap pair of jeans that I loved. Only problem is that I miss judged the size. They were too big! Instead of returning them (as I bought them in Utah and didn't realize my problem until I returned to Maryland), I decided to make a skirt out of them. I'm really trying to branch out from patterns and try a new things. I heard a great quote today... "Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." I really want to be more creative... be willing to allow myself to make mistakes without thinking "OFF with her head!" every time I mess up. I'm glad this little project turned out. I still need to take it in a bit more, but you get the idea. And yes, it came with the paint splatter and I LOVE the raw edge.

Josser wanted to be featured with the skirt as well. Just like a kid... wants to be the center of everything. But he's so cute I thought I'd oblige. :)

Cathing Up: April 24... Stake Roseball

Hold onto your chairs! This was the SECOND DANCE Joe has taken me to in less than a year! I know, I know. I was amazed as well! (Though I knew he always had it in him).

The roseball event out here is HUGE! They put tons of effort into this every year and even have a live Jazz band come play the music. This year's theme was 1940's USO, which was neat because they encouraged all the military persons to come dressed in uniform. We have tons of military personnel in the stake and they all came dressed to the nine. I LOVED it! The music was fun and I was surprised at how many amazing dancers we have!!! Seriously. This wasn't your "swing side to side and turn in a circle" kind of dancing. Couples were fox trotting, waltzing, and "other dance names I don't know"-ing around the floor. I've decided that Joe and I will definitely need some dance classes before next year! Here are a couple of pics from the evening. I didn't take a lot as I was SOOO not feeling well (the beginning stages of the plague), but I did have a nice evening with wonderful friends.

L to R: Annie Cechini, Chantel Calder, Debbie Burns (me)

Annie, Chantel and another friend of theirs played the part of the Sanderson Sisters for the evening and they rocked it! I especially loved their Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy!

Annie drew all the artwork for the evening, including a photo-realistic drawing of the famous "Kiss in Times Square" photograph. Joe was a good sport and provided me my own kiss to remember! I think we totally nailed the pose. Thanks, Chantel, for catching this one on camera!

Catching Up: April 23... Burns Boys Visit

So Jimmy and Jake came for a VERY short visit back on the 23rd of April. They actually flew in around 11p on Thursday, April 22 and then left before the butt crack of dawn on Saturday, April 24 to drive our truck back to Utah. We appreciate their sacrafice in driving the truck back across the country so we could get it sold. Thanks guys! And thank you to your wives for sharing you with us... even if we only had you for about 24 hours.

Even though time was so short, we decided to make the best of it with a quick trip to D.C. (I LOVE that we live in the coolest place ever!)

(L to R): Jimmy, Jake and Joe waiting for the metro. Jimmy is the oldest of the boys and then Joe and then Jake is the youngest. They have sisters that land on either end of the set (not pictured here).

Infront of the National Archives. We didn't get a chance to go inside, but I thought it made a good photo opp.

On the national mall with the capital building in the background. There were crews out setting up for a huge Earth Day bash.

Jimmy, Joe and I headed toward the Washington Monument.

A couple of shots of the WWII monument. Doesn't look very cool in the photos, but I promise it is gorgeous in person.

I loved being able to see Joe hang out with his brothers (so glad they let me tag along!). I could tell he was super happy. As much as he pretends to be strong, I know he misses these guys. I can't wait for Jimmy and Marla to come in August!

Catching Up: April 1-April 8... Happy Birthday to ME

For my birthday the girls decided to let me pick anywhere I wanted to go. I chose the National Zoo. I'm not sure if it's the animals or the way it makes me feel like a little kid again, but I love the zoo! We stopped for carrot cake on the way over (haha... take that Joe!) in honor of my birthday and then strolled through the park. I love that the National Zoo is free and is filled with some great exhibits. It's not huge, but it is quality. I saw some of my favorites (orangutans and tigers) and some new friends as well (prairie dogs and panda bears).

Tina and Hanna... rarr!

Actual Panda bear! He looks like a guy in a suit, but it's the real deal. It was cool. Don't think I've ever seen a panda up close and personal before.

An old friend.

Just for Joe... my tiger reincarnated as a man.

Love this one. Reminds me of Josser.

Another Lioness.

So cute!

After the Zoo (and a LONG walk back to the metro... someone like me should never try to introduce "short cuts") we headed home so Tina could fix me a special birthday dinner. It was YUMMY! I loved it. We had some type of new chicken using cooking sherry (a first), homemade garlic mashed potatoes (a first), steamed asparagus (a first) and cheesecake for dessert (a classic). I LOVED dinner and was super excited to try so many new things. Thanks, Tina! Love the food and the recipes!

Thursday morning was relaxed as the girls got ready to head back to Utah. I am SOOO glad they came to visit and enjoyed every moment I had with them. Thanks, ladies! I can't wait for the next one! Florida... right Hanna?

Catching Up: April 1-April 8... Harper's Ferry

Tuesday, THANKFULLY, was driving day. I took the girls (as Joe was more than happy to be at work... too much walking for him over the weekend) and we drove over to Harper's Ferry in West Virginia. While it was THE armory for the nation for a spell, the real reason we visited there was because a) it was close and b) it was in West Virginia. Hanna was on a mission while visiting to get to as many states as possible. Harper's fit the bill and so away we went. It actually turned out to be a VERY adorable, neigh, gorgeous piece of history with beautiful vistas. We had lunch at a little inn on the main street that overlooked the old part of town and the rivers. It was wonderful! I'm actually really excited to take Joe back there for some much needed R&R. It looks like a fabulous place for strolling or hiking, which ever suits your fancy. I also saw people in swim suits so there must be a place for swimming somewhere around there.

Our view from where we ate lunch.

As it was a day for adventure, I decided to get my palm read to find out what "all the fuss" with psychics is about. I will admit that being a fan of The Mentalist "ruined" it for me. I could tell she was probing for information and found some of her answers to be so general they would fit almost anyone. She got some things right and others things WAY wrong, lol. It was a good experience for me as it removed the "mystery" of palm reading and reminded me that my best source for "future telling" is God. Who better to tell me my future than the One making it happen?

After my little adventure we went shopping at some the boutiques and then poked around the "historic" part of town. I think the whole place is historic, but what do I know.

In honor of Hanna's mission we headed down to Leesburg, VA in order to cross Virgina off her list. It was another quaint town with antique shops and the like. My favorite part was Baskin Robbins. Nothing like some good ole' ice cream on a VERY hot day!

I was grateful for a respite from walking and enjoyed the scenic drive with friends.

Catching Up: April 1-April 8... Capital Building

Monday was our tour of the Capital Building along with a ton more walking (which by know you should notice as the theme of this trip... WALKING a TON!). We spent the morning at the American History Museum checking out the Star Spangled Banner exhibit (SO COOL and a must see), the First Ladies exhibit (interesting) and the War Exhibit (also worth seeing).

Hanna in front of the museum.

Seriously love the S.S.B. The ACTUAL flag that inspired our national anthem is on display there. Magnificent and over powering. Interesting to note is that this all surrounded the war of 1812. The British (for a reason I cannot recall) had declared war on us again. Probably still bent out of shape after losing to us in 1776. Anyway, they had burned D.C. to the ground in hopes to break our moral as a fledgling country. Instead, they incited us to band together and fight more fiercely. After D.C. fell (or perhaps in tandem... I don't recall so check with a history buff), they moved onto Baltimore in hopes of securing the harbor. The British couldn't get close because the pesky Americans did crazy things like putting stakes in the water that would pierce approaching ships, so they bombed Fort McHenry. They actually used missiles too! Key was in the hold of a British ship listening to the battle all night and into the next morning. As the smoke cleared he saw the huge American Flag, tattered and worn, but still waving above Fort McHenry--an indication that we had maintained the fort and the harbor. It was a HUGE victory by the Americans. He was inspired and, after seeing the flag myself, I could not help but be inspired as well. It's interesting to me that we as Americans bind together when threatened or attached rather than falling apart. The British burned D.C. and we rose to chase them from our shores. Terrorists took down the Twin Towers and we knit our hearts together for the victims and sent our troops to war. We don't back down. We don't fall apart. We stand together, united. The only sad part is that our unification wains in times of prosperity. Anyway, I digress. The exhibit was powerful and, in my mind, a must see.

After the American History Museum we raced up to the Capital for our tour. Like I said, on a map it seems small but in RL the walk/run took us over 30 minutes. Pure craziness! But we made it and had a very nice, private tour of the building with fun facts and an "insider" perspective from the intern who took us around. I thought the capital fun to see, but wouldn't have missed it if not given the chance to go. Lots of paintings and statues and interesting facts.

Lady Liberty. A replica of the statue that stands on top of the building. I thought she was cool.

Though it looks carved, this is actually hand painted (as are all the reliefs in the building).

Pelosi's cave. Fitting. (Take that however you want.)

George Washington painted as a Greek god on the ceiling of the rotunda. Read up on this one. Interesting!

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Hanna and Tina.

More of the rotunda. Like I said, worth seeing once... maybe.

After the tour (which lasted 3 hours!), headed back to the Holocaust Museum (which is across the street from the American History Museum). This time we were smart and took the metro. Well worth it! I LOVE this museum. I didn't take any pictures (I don't think they are allowed). Even if they were, I wouldn't have taken any as I was so immersed in the exhibits. This is a MUST SEE. Well done, in depth, and gives views of this time in history that don't always see. I loved how personal it felt. I loved how personal they made it. I won't do it justice with words, so I'll just encourage anyone that comes out this way to make the time to see this museum. It requires tickets, so grab those in advance at https://tix.cnptix.com/tix/ushmm?eventid=21322. You'll be glad you did!

Catching Up: April 1-April 8... Philly

Sunday we made a day trip to Philadelphia (Philly). The drive was nice (it beat walking, hehe!) and I was surprised at the small town feel the historic district had even though it was nestled in the center of a sprawling metropolis. We were even able to find FREE parking (and out here that is a win in and of itself).

I like Philly. I like the feel and the history it had to offer. And for an architecture lover like myself, the buildings were AWESOME!!! I could live there (I think). Maybe just get a vacation home after I win the lottery without ever buying a ticket, hehe). We saw as much as we could while in town: Independence Hall (where constitution was signed), Liberty Bell, Senate Building, Philly Mint, Ben Franklin Home/Museum/Grave, and Betsy Ross's place. And though Ben and Betsy were pretty uninspiring, the rest was fabulous! I especially loved our tour guide for Independence Hall. His energy and excitement over history was captivating... he would make one heck of a history teacher!

The mint building (where coins are made and distributed to the country)

Benjamin Franklin's grave. What is it with people and throwing money onto graves and in fountains?

Ben's graveyard. I thought it looked cool.

Joe with Independence Hall in the background. It's the little building just to the right of his head.

A closer shot of the hall with me.

Stopping for lunch. Joe should NOT be allowed to have the camera. But seeing as how he has threatened to break into this blog and post worse pictures, I am voluntarily posting this one that he took. There! You are not allowed to do any more damage Mr. Joseph!

The back sick of Independence Hall. It wasn't always named thus, but once it was the name sure stuck. Don't ask me the original name because I forgot. What I didn't forget is that they actually started tearing down this building in the early 1800's with plans to build a "newer, bigger building." Then the war of 1812 started and they never got around to tearing the rest down. By the late 1800s they decided to keep the building (it being historic and all with the signing of the constitution and such) and so added back they two wings they had original demolished. Phew!

And for the movie buffs out there, here is a shot of the location where Ben Gates found Ben Franklin's secret spy glasses. Had to include it!

Inside waiting for out tour to begin.

Hanna (left) and Tina (right). Good times!

Our oh-so-awesome tour guide. Seriously... if you can, get a tour from this man! (I think his name was Mike... but I could be wrong).

I love this girl!

The room where treason became a nation.

That black cane on the desk actually belonged to Thomas Jefferson. His hand touched it! Hehe

George Washington sat in that exact chair and the books on the table belonged to John Hancock.

This room held the first congress.

And this one held the first senate.

And last but not least is the Liberty Bell... so NOT like National Treasure 2. I am learning that as long as you build BELIEVABLE fiction, the readers/viewers will go along with anything, regardless of reality.

After seeing all the awesome sites, we headed over to Jim's Steaks for the BEST Philly cheese steak EVER. Seriously, SOOOOOO good! After phillyng our tummies (hehe, get it, Philly... phillying, haha), we headed back to Maryland. Traffic was horrible on the way home, but we got back safe and sound. It was an awesome day in Philadelphia.

Catching Up: April 1-April 8... The Monuments

Saturday we took the girls and Joe down to D.C. for a White House tour and anything else we could squeeze in. Let me tell you, it was a day of walking! While the National Mall (no this is not a store) may seem small on the map, it is HUGE. The White House tour was very interesting and I recommend it to any that can get tickets (via your state congress person). It's not long and it's self guided, but a great opportunity to see the place where our presidents have resided and hosted dignitaries for centuries. I appreciated that the while the president is allowed to redecorate the family space, he has NO SAY in what happens on the main floor. Based on some of the china choices I am SO GLAD certain First Ladies were denied the opportunity to add their "personal touch" to the more historic parts of the home. And speaking of china... does anyone else find it completely retarded that each first lady gets to order a brand new set of full service china for the four years her husband is in office? I know it's pocket change compared to the rest of the government's budget, but the stupidity has to stop somewhere! The president makes 400K per year... let him pay for the damn china! Ranting over. Unfortunately no cameras are allowed inside so no pics of the white house tour.

After the White House we decided to see all the major monuments. It was insane, not only for the length of the walk, but because it was also the Cherry Blossom Festival which made the sidewalks and streets more crammed than Disney Land in July. Nightmare! Beautiful... but nightmare. Eventually we made it all around the monument side of the mall and were able to see the Washington, Jefferson, FDR and Lincoln monuments. And while the W, J and L monuments might be the most famous and recognized, I must say I fell in love with FDR, especially in the spring. It was more like a marble garden than the "god-like" monuments of the rest. It sprawls next to the Tidal basin and is full of the cherry blossom trees and running waterfalls. Breathtaking. (But alas, no pics...I don't know WHAT I was thinking!)

But here's what I do have...

Hanna and I by the Washington monument.

Joe and I at the Jefferson monument.

A great shot of the FDR monument (courtesy of Hanna)!

Joe at the Lincoln monument.

I hope you know this one.

Do we look tired? Because we ARE! All that walking... all those crowds... by the time we saw Lincoln I was ready to be home, hehe.