Thank you for being a friend...

Well, this weekend a beloved woman who graces my TV more than most, passed away. Not that I mourned, but the girls of gold are getting older, as two have now passed on, and it makes me sad a little as this show is like comfort food to me. I watched the "Golden Girls" religiously as a child on Saturday nights. As a kid, I rarely got the sexual humor, but I thought Rose was right up my ally. Still do. Now as an adult, I get the sex humor and it's funnier than it was in the 80's. There was rarely a life lesson to be learned at the end of each episode like "Full House". Nor was there ever any real slapstick comedy that forced you to just shake your head like "Family Matters". It was just 4 older women who lived together in one house and by the end of the series they were a family of 4 women brought together by life's circumstances and friendship. I guess it just reminds me of another relationship or two that I know.

Dorothy with her rigid sense of humor and extremely dry sarcasm has been greatly appreciated for years. Her relationship and dynamic between each woman was truly art, but it was the mother/daughter duo that always had me in stitches. Estelle Getty, who played Dorothy's witty and blunt mother, was the fan fave, even mine. She said the things that I could never say to anyone. If only I could be more like Sophia...
I told Matt that "Dorothy" passed away and he goes, "huh, must have run in the family.", as "Sophia" passed away in July of last year.

As much as I love TV, if you know me, "Golden Girls" ranks up there with "Sex and the City". As it was the SATC of the 80's.

So, to Dorothy and Sophia...here's to you. Stay Golden!

it's just funny

Although I haven't puked, but felt like it a time or two... I thought this was funny.

Op! There it is!

The belly has arrived! Here is the belly pic to prove it. I think it just looks like the belly I used to make in college when I would pretend to be pregnant or make a bagel out of my gut. (don't tell Matt that last part) Matt took these this morning while he was walking out the door and I was getting ready for work (6:45am thank you very much). So, I look a little out of it. I always put my makeup on when I'm half asleep. That way it's like a surprise when you see yourself in the bathroom mirror at work.
Speaking of work... in case you're wondering, it is less than the cool thing to do to get pregnant before 35 around here. That has been interesting to watch as people give you the "Awe! Are you excited?!?" I'm tempted to say "NO!" at some point just to get a reaction, but...
I do look forward to being big enough that I can kick people out of their seats on the Metro!! Big days are coming for me (literally)


oh, and my skin hasn't seen the sun since 2007 so... I'm the whitest native american I know. Chief Sequoia would be so sad.

How we told them

Some have been asking how we told our parents well, here you go:
My family:
We had not been to the Dr. when we sent our package to my family. We decided since we didn't have the token picture to send, and wanting to send it to them for Easter, we would play a little game with them. If you know me at all you know that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE board games! My brother's used to hate my night at family night when I got to choose the family activity of choice. I always wanted to play monopoly or candyland. THEY HATED THAT! hehehe...
Well, with that in mind, we sent each member of my family an egg. In the egg was a reese's cup (my fave) and a scrabble letter. The letter's spelled out "We are pregnant".
They opened it up when everyone was at my parent's house for lunch. According to my sister's-in-law, my mom went to town putting these letters together. She yelled at my dad to come see what she had done, or what we had done I guess. They told me that dad was in denial, that my mom just wanted it to say that (as she got all the letters in the right place), and made her try to make it say something else. They called to see if it wasn't something else and then my dad just asks, "Are you pregnant??" With everyone laughing and cheering in the background I had to tell my dad "yes." Bless his heart! His next sentence was "Well, I guess I don't need to have that 'other' talk with Matt now, huh?" HA! Needless to say, by 6:00pm that night, I think the entire town of Ft. Gibson knew they were going to be grandparents again. One sister-in-law said that my brother looked at her thinking it was her way of telling him they were going to have another baby... poor Darren.
Now Matt's family:
We had gone to the Dr. that afternoon before driving to Va Beach to see his parents, so we had proof in tow. We had actually bought some fun Easter eggs for them too, so on our way down we stopped off at Kinko's to make copies of the pictures for everyone to have in their eggs. On Saturday when everyone was over, Matt pulls out this Easter basket with the eggs in it. He said, "We found these funny joke eggs and wanted to share them with you. They're pretty hilarious, but just remember it's kind of a joke." I mean, what else is the poor guy going to say. I was dying eggs on one end of the kitchen with my little nephew and they were all at the other end around the table. Well, when the eggs came Kahmani ditched me, but whatever. So, everyone opened their eggs together. All I remember hearing was "ARE YOU SERIOUS???" and then screaming!! HA! My sister-in-law came ruuuunning over to me (she past Matt) with the biggest hug! I LOVED IT! Then next was his mom! I think they were excited! ha! It was so fun to see and hear our families reactions. It was such a great weekend.
November 11th! Ready or not here we come!

You're going to put that where???

Well, Some of you have been asking about the Dr.'s visit and how that all went. Well, let's just discuss leading up to the visit. I called the day I found out to make the appointment, b/c that's what the box said to do. My Dr.'s knew before Matt! I just wanted to be fully prepared with information before I told him (that's my story and I'm sticking to it). We set it for 5 weeks from that day, so I would be 9 weeks pregnant at the visit. Do any of you know how hard it is to wait 5 weeks for anything??? I had to wait 5 weeks to tell my parents, 5 weeks to know if the baby is doing okay, 5 weeks to see a heart beat, 5 weeks to get that fun little picture you show off to all your friends and family!!! 5 WEEKS!!!! KILL ME NOW!!!
The week of the appointment rolls around. I couldn't believe it was finally here!! Luckily it went fast b/c I was helping with our VBS at church. Matt and I had a terrible argument on the Wed. prior. You know how couples are...
Friday finally gets here and we get into the dr.'s room. It was so awkward b/c I have never had a man in "that" room with me before. It was so weird. Long story short, my dr. walks in and, well, she is just great! She could tell I was nervous b/c I really just wanted to know that all was well in there. So I see her dressing this stick thing. (and by dressing, "you know what I mean!") I kind of looked at her with this eye of "where is that going to go?" It didn't phase Matt. When she said "you see that little flashy thing there", pointing to the screen. I said, "yes." She then said, "That's your baby's heart beating." I started to tear up and I looked at Matt and said "We have a heart beat." I knew at that moment that all was right with the world. I didn't in that moment understand how someone can say "there is no God" b/c looking at that screen, clearly there is and what an AMAZING God he is!
The rest was just routine. I didn't hear half of what she said to me and and what point I just said, "what?" and she looked at Matt and said, You got that, right? HA! It was funny! I do have pregnancy brain really badly. I FORGET EVERYTHING!!!! OY! But that was our Dr.'s visit. We are excited about our baby, our dr., the hospital, and the life's journey we have been set to now embark on. What a journey, and I hope I can remember to blog it! :)
ps. I promise a belly picture will come soon.

Sick and tired...

I've decided to do better with my blogging, but I have been sick since Saturday. Matt, the good man that he is, loves me so so much. He wants to share everything with me. He always says "what's his is mine and what's mine is his". Well, he loved me enough to even share is cold with me! I have not had a voice in 3 days! I KNOW! If any of you know me, you know this has been almost impossible for me! And since the whole pregnancy thing, I have been EXHAUSTED to the inth degree! If you add a cold to that, well, let's just say I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Some of you have asked about how I have been feeling, well, up to this point, I have been feeling great (minus the falling asleep at my desk at work). It has been an easy pregnancy thus far, but I know I am just tipping the iceberg.
So, I have not forgotten about my blog...I've just been sleeping for the last 3 days.
On the upside, we went house hunting on Saturday. We have prospects! I might have a baby's room and a Mary Kay office by June! Hip Hip Hooray! :)

...the rest of the story

Well, as I said in my previous post, Mike, Shelly, Anderson, Matt and myself all went out to dinner for their farewell dinner. It was so fun!
Shelly was telling me all about the Oprah episode with the moms on there that were just giving advice and talking about pregnancy and motherhood. Well, it sounded like a good car crash to me, of course I asked questions.
Halfway through looking at the menu, Shelly starts playing a little Angela Lansbury detective style. She informs me that the crab cakes I thought I wanted were on the "bad foods list" along with the fried calamari. Well, it was a good thing I wanted the fried chicken fingers...
We start talking about the weekend, and Matt and I told them we were going to Matt's parents. "For what?" she asks with a very excited tone. I sadly had to burst her bubble to remind her it was Easter weekend and we hadn't seen Matt's family since Christmas.
I get a phone call from a source that shall remain nameless, but informed me that Shelly had a plan in her head of what Matt and I were "really" going to be doing in VA Beach. My source tells me that Shelly thought we were going to tell Matt's parents that we were pregnant and then we were going to call my parents and tell them, and then on Monday would tell everyone else.. Did I get that right, Shelly?
Well, miss Shelly, you were wrong. We didn't call my parents. We sent them a package that told them for us! :) But for the most part... you hit the nail on the head. :) How did you do that? Actually, Mike called the date EXACTLY!! So, technically, you were even out foxed by your husband. :)

10 weeks and counting...
Matt and I are very excited. (This was the first post Matt helped me write. I suspect there will be more Matt voice to come)

Take me out to the ball game and then to KS...

Well, our "couple friends" Mike and Shelly have moved back to KS. In light of their last days in DC, the best thing to do was go to a Nationals' baseball game. They were playing the Baltimore Oriole's. Thanks to Ronnie Deck, we got our really awesome seats for free. It pays to know low people in high places. Needless to say, I think there was a good time had by all. Even little Anderson had fun!

Shelly and I enjoyed the chatting and the chili...


...but no one enjoyed the chili more than Michael...


Matt and I just enjoyed their company, as we do like the Nats, we usually go for beer and hotdogs. This time we went for the company, well, mainly to play with Anderson.

(I swear I didn't drop him)

A few days later, we had our farewell dinner with them at their favorite little place near where they were staying.
That's the thing about DC, people come and go here so quickly, but the best thing is is that you meet and make new friends! I'm very thankful that God brought them to DC and into our lives. We miss you guys already!

Questionable Behavior

Okay. I was thinking on my way into work this morning about my time in DC thus far. I have been here for over 3 years now! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?!?! It has flown by but at the same time feels like it has been forever. I have been living in the same neighborhood for 3 whole years. I have walked the same way to the Metro in the morning for 3 years and the same way home for 3 years. In all these 3 years something has always puzzled me. In my morning, afternoon, evening and eve weekend walking to the metro I have always noticed and wondered the same thing...
Well, let me back up. In my daily walk I pass a building. It's an unmarked building with only two entrances, that I know of. The two entrances are both blocked by security guards. Now, my building has a security guard downstairs where you flash your badge and keep a walkin'. Not this building. This building, in front of the parking garage doors has AT LEAST 4 men and 2 big dogs standing there with their automatic weapons. We're talking BIG GUYS with BIG GUNS (and not in a "that's what she said" kind of way). I HAVE NO IDEA what is in this building that requires a car check with guns and dogs for everyone that enters it. We're just in a quiet little neighborhood... and they are there AROUND THE CLOCK! It's like, who are they keeping in there? The other entrance has only one guard with one gun, but it is in the tunnel of the metro. I'm telling you, it's bizzaro! I have spent 3 years wondering WHAT IS IN THERE?!?! and I have yet to find the answer. I want to ask, but I don't want to get shot! Any ideas?

The weekend

Well, last weekend launched the beginning of the wonderful Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Because they are so beautiful, thousands come to the city for the extravaganza! This weekend is the parade down Constitution Ave. where all see and be seen, including the one and only Aleeeex Treeebek! This weekend, aside from the parade, is the Japanese street festival. If you want to come visit, now is the time.

Then and Now!

Okay! Okay! I know...It's been a little while. Sorry. It's been a little busy. Okay, not really. Lets catch up!
We have a new President, which was quite the site to see... During the weekend of the Inauguration, Matt and I decided to just settle in for a long winters nap. Leading up to the big day, it was awful to get to work, so the thought of walking in 10 degree weather across the bridge with the rest of the country to stand or not to stand on the mall, well, it just wasn't my idea of a good day off. So, we woke up on Jan. 20, 2009 and watched the makings of history up close and personal...on my couch! I had several friends make the trek, and some made it to the mall and others couldn't quite get to the spot they paid for. I made it to mine! :) So, with that, we have a new president.

I made a new friend, Shelly! Mandy's sister-in-law! They are here for a short amount of time, and I will be so sad when she and her hubs leave me, but that's the beauty of friendship that I have found; when you get a good one, you will always keep in touch. She and her husband Michael have become good "couple friends" with Matt and I. We are mainly their friends b/c they have the cutest little boy in the world, and they have to tag along when we ask Anderson to come over and play. (kidding, sort of) But it has been so fun getting to know her better (or at all really). We are all going to a National's game next weekend together, where I will see Ronnie Deck! I'll let you know how that goes.

My parents came to visit! Valentine's was spent with the people I love; my husband and my parents. We had such a great time. I will have to post pictures when I'm not blogging at work. :)

THEN! My BFF Mandy came to visit! You can visit her blog for pictures! It was sooo fun! Between the two visits, I have a renewed sense of fresh air around me.

The thing is, being in DC, it's easy to become hard and bitter. I HAVE ROAD RAGE for Pete's sake! So, when people you know that are in your comfort zone where you don't have to be someone else, you can just be you, comes to visit; It's a breath of fresh air! SO COME VISIT!

Matt and I have decided to buy a house. Where? We have no idea. When? We have no idea. So, we really are on the right track to making this happen. We have started the process with a Realtor, and the nice thing is, Matt knows what he's doing more than me. The guy was talking about loans and something else, and I think I dozed off a bit. I'll keep you updated.

And with that, I think you are up to speed on the last 2 months of my life. OH WAIT! I started Mary Kay!!! How could I forget that one! It has been a true blessing and I look forward to slapping the stuff on all of your faces! :)

Okay. Now, it's time for lunch. More later (and by later I don't mean 2 months from now)

She'll see it later, honey. Her eyes are frozen.

I am wearing 5 layers of clothing today. My face was frozen in a constipated look sort of position by the time I got to work today, not to mention a runny nose and watery eyes. And that was just a 2 1/2 block walk from the Metro to my office. I know Morgandi is getting it worse in Chicago, but HOLY CRAP it's COLD! I hope it gets colder...wait...it is going to be a balmy 11 tomorrow. I'm pretty excited about that! If I fall on ice, I promise to take a picture of the wreckage.

It only takes a smile...

...and the next thing you know I'm in the midst of a conversation with a complete stranger.
Okay here's what happened:
I was walking from my office to the Metro. I didn't go the way I normally go b/c it was FREEEZING and I just wanted to get home, so I took the first available crosswalk and went with it. Well, at the other side of the street, you have to look over your shoulder a little to see for on coming traffic, which is what I was doing at the time of the "smile".
I was standing in the street (of course), and this lady was standing on the curb as we were waiting for the light to change or a car not to come, which ever came first. I glanced over my shoulder for on coming cars and I caught the eye of a woman who smiled at me, so me not being rude, gave a nice smile back. Whatever. I kept walking, and this lady caught up to me.
She started chatting with me, so me being nice, answered her questions, like "So are do you work around here?" "Are you participating in any of the Inaugural events?" What do you do for a living?" and naturally I returned the questions back to her (thinking what a nice lady or awe, she needs a friend) We chat about our work blah blah, and by this time, we are on the platform waiting for the train (2 blocks later and 2 escalator rides later) and she was asking me if "journalism is my calling" and I thought to myself, "Oh, she is going to minister to me. That's nice." I don't know why I thought this, but I did. We got to talking about our "calling" when I pushed my glasses up on my face with my left had (my wedding ring hand), as the train was arriving. "We are all looking for our calling, well it was nice to meet you" and she immediately cut off of the conversation and RAN onto the train! I mean, didn't even finish the conversation. Most keep talking as you walk onto the train, chat until it's your stop. NOT HER! She just ended it. The whole situation had me puzzled and a little weirded out. I was just trying to be nice, and I'm trying not to thing that she was trying to be "nicer", if you will. Now, I'm not making fun of her, it's more my cluelessness to the conversation and the whole situation that I went home, told Matt about, and he proceeded to laugh at me for not realizing what was going on. He and I both agreed she was just trying to be nice. Right?
I'm a lightening rod for the odd...I swear! No more making eye contact with anyone...EVER! ps. this happened the DAY AFTER the petting situation.

So few...brain cells

There are very few Bank of America's in the Downtown area. I have to take the Metro to get there from my office. It takes a little time for me to ever find one and get to depositing checks and what not. Every time I venture into a local branch something strange always happens. (I'm sure you're shocked) Well, today, my co worker and I had to both go to the bank. We hopped on the red line to, where, none other than Chinatown. (I held my hair as to not be petted this time)
We have to sit at the bank for a little bit b/c my friend needed to get a signature from a man that didn't quite seem to be in any kind of hurry, b/c we had to sit and wait with this man who seemed harmless and minding his own business. It was fine. UNTIL...
She and I were having a conversation and she used the word "curiouser". Now you and I both know this isn't a real word. She asked me, "Is curiouser a real word?", but before I could even get the words, "I'm gonna go with no on this one" out of my mouth, this guy chimes in randomly with his accent from downunder. "Of course it is. They say it on Alice in Wonderland!" Well, if they say it on Alice in Wonderland, then it must be true. And I'm Tweedldee and she's Tweedleddum! Then he proceeds to tell us all about Alice in Wonderland and how great the book is, we should be reading more, etc. etc. The man we needed the signature from just couldn't call our name fast enough! It was the longest 1/2 hour of my life...a 1/2 hour I can never get back.

Something creepy

So, I get on the Metro to go home yesterday, I sit down in the front seat with an open seat behind me. The train stops at Chinatown and on walks a man who sits down behind me. Now I rarely pay attention to what is going on around me (unless there's a fight), so I'm just minding my business. I'm listening to Patti Griffin and playing solitaire on my Ipod. It's what I do. So, this man sits behind me. I feel a slight tug on my hair. Well, I just thought he was grabbing on to the bar that is on the back of my chair, and he was at first, but then he STARTED PETTING MY HAIR!! Petting me. Like a puppy! I have never in my LIFE been petted by a stranger. I was so beyond creeped out. Fortunately, my stop was next and I seriously couldn't get off fast enough.
And that was my day yesterday.

If I wanted to go to Inauguration...

I would have to put on my walking shoes, my friend.

As you may or may not know we will have a new president next week. I think the only way you WOULDN'T know this is if you live under a rock. In light of this overwhelmingly historical event, as our first "african-american" president is inaugurated into office, many have chosen to be apart of this whole situation. When I say many, there is suspect of 4ish million people expected to arrive here over the course of this next weekend.

People are renting their homes for THOUSANDS of dollars a night. Hotels have been booked since November 5 and DC has been building stands and stages since late October.

As for transportation in shuttling these "4M" people around... MARC train (Maryland Commuter train between DC and Baltimore) riders will not be allowed to use their passes on the day of Inauguration, but will have to pay for your seat. The Metro will be charging the "peak hour" rates that day, you will have to pay to park at the Metro's "park and ride" stations, and last but certainly not least, they are SHUTTING DOWN the bridges from Virginia to DC. All who can't get on the Metro in VA are going to have to WALK to the Capitol. Granted, I have done this before, but it wasn't January and it wasn't b/c I had to do it. They have shut down the streets around the Capitol.

Fortunately for me, Inauguration Day is a Federal Holiday here in DC. Matt and I thought about leaving, renting out our home, but decided we had better not, seeing that all who came must leave. There is no way we would get back!
So, if you need me on Inauguration Day, I will be holed up in my house with my husband, my remote and maybe a puzzle.

A hiking we must go...

Matt and I recently took a day and headed out to the place we first hiked together. It was just as fun as I had remembered, only this time the trees were changing and the mountains were covered with dark orange and yellow. It was truly beautiful. A sight to see.
It always reminds me of just how amazing our God truly is. It's always so nice to escape the city and visit the peaceful mountains and fresh air around us.



Needless to say, on our way back, we decided we didn't want to live outside the beltway. It would take HOURS to get to work, but that is a whole other story for another time.

The return of my freshman year...

You can take the girl out of Oklahoma but you can't take the clumsiness out of the girl.
I don't know if you know me, but I tend to be a little clumsy in my step from time to time, and well, moving here has not changed that aspect about me at all. I never hurt myself physically except maybe bruising the pride a little, but other than that I am usually fine.

You may or may not recall my freshman year when I fell in my Gen Psych class with 150+ of you watching. Did I mention this happened on my FIRST DAY of my Fr. year? Terrified, I sat in the first seat I saw with everyone in the class staring at me. Then just when I thought all had forgotten about it (mid class) Dusty Davis leans down and says "Watch out for those stairs, they'll get you every time."

I was feeling pretty confident about myself this morning, which is usually when tragedy strikes my steps. As I was coming up out of the metro at Union Station along with everyone else who works on Capitol Hill, taking my first to cross the street my foot slips. I was so shocked when I all of a sudden I found my self on my butt! I mean, STUNNED! I quickly picked myself up as though it was all one motion in hopes that no one would see me, but I have a feeling they all saw this situation go down (literally). The man walking next to me asked if I was all right, which was very sweet. I answered "I'm good, thanks." and quickly walked shamelessly with my head down the rest of the way to our building. Now you would think I would be in the clear at this point as those around Union Station disperse to their own places of business, but as I was waiting for the elevator in my building one of my coworkers walked by and asked if I was okay. :( I sadly said "yes, thank you." and again shamelessly slinked myself onto the elevator and into our office. I hope this isn't an omen for the rest of my day.

Off to the races...

I don't even know where to begin! After 3 years of living in DC, I went to my very first High Heeled Drag Race. It's exactly what it sounds like... Men dressin' in drag and taking a jog down 17th St. in Dupont Circle. Let me just say it was quite the site to see!! As we stood there freezing, the energy of men in makeup walking the street in a parade like manner showing off their fashion and faces kept us warm all night long! I won't give away the winner, mainly just b/c you don't want to see that picture...but I can say, his heels were more of a wedge which we think is cheating.

Some co workers and I gathered the streets after work for the Dragging extravaganza! I had no idea what I was getting into!


Mary Kay was my favorite (naturally)!


Ace and Gary! (not really drag but still funny)


Michelle Obama made an appearance.


For every Michelle there was a Sarah Palin.


And lest we not forget the women from Texas.


And this is just a taste. All I have to say is if you ever get a chance to witness the drag racing situation, take full advantage! It's like a car crash! You just can't look away!

To Mandy's House I go

I of course don't take any pictures of Mandy and me. It was all about Vivian as she turned 1 whole year old the day I arrived into town. I naturally couldn't put her down as she was more fun than watching Golden Girls! (which for me says a lot).

There is nothing better than a lazy Sunday afternoon, a package of oreos, a glass of milk, your best friend and of course Sex and the City the movie.





I didn't even get to take pictures of Tams, or Dara when I saw them. Maybe I'll have Mandy send me some...

Needless to say, Viv and I had a blast, she told me she did! Mandy and I did too...