My Week With Obama - Monday

So, Day one was spent in training from 7AM - 4PM.
After that, I was on my own!!
Below is a recap of what I did from 4PM-8PM (back to the hotel to shower and relax with DWTS!!!)

This is the view from my conference room so this is what we looked at ALL day in class - lovely hugh?

This is the view from my hotel room - again, lovely hugh?

Checked out the gym at my hotel...here is the lifting/balance ball section of the gym...

Here are the treadmills - I do see these in my future...

The "lifting room"

This is a walking view of Union Square - this is where I found the Chipotle and a bunch of stores just like any mall at home :-)

Here is Michelle Obama!!! She was hanging out at Union Station!!! Just kidding, this was a cardboard version of the First Lady!

Here is where I had dinner...YUM!!

YUM again!!!! Guac!!!

This was way cool!! It is the National Law Enforcement Officers Monument! Pretty cool!

Close up view...

I next walked down the F Street and 12 Street...I was dying to go to the H&M Store here in DC as I heard it was awesome and huge - I was NOT impressed!! Very crowded...lots of police...lots of clothes half off the hangers and some on the floor...very dirty appearance...very sad me!

A picture of Verizon Center - this is where the Wash Capitals play and I saw a lot of people heading to the game.

I think these prickly little needles all over the window sills are to keep the pigeons from landing - what a great idea although I bet there are a lot of pigeons with sore feet and bellies from trying to land HA!

This is an awesome statue!! It was actually in this little walking park four times...so there were four mommy lions and 4 sets of babies playing!

This was a busy highway along my walk - kinda neat so I took a picture... (added note: later found out from my map of DC that this is I-395)

I think we are getting out in time to walk around again today so stay tuned for Day Three!!!

My Week with Obama - Sunday

I am in Washington, D.C. for the week for some training for work.

I arrived on Sunday and I got a brief litttle tour of the city before heading back to my hotel room for dinner, Amazing Race premier and the Steelers game...great day...here are the pics!

Here is looking out the window of my plane in Pgh getting ready to take off for DC - what a quick flight...the whole thing was less than 1 hour...QUICK!

I got to the hotel and my room was not ready yet...so I decided to wander around outside and I met this little guy...

He practically came over and sat on my lap with his chicken bone...he was gnarling away on it and I must have looked like a nice dining companion...

Here is a picture of the capital building as I was walking closer to it...

A little closer...

Another building..loved this stone carving...

This was an interesting building...it is for all people from Florida...very interesting!

Went to a meeting here...met awesome people and plan to attend another one this evening at 8:30 - love my "Friends of Bill" - family wherever I go!

The cutest little "bench" outside someones home...

Cute row houses...you can not tell from this picture from my cell phone but the colors were so bright and vibrant!

Another view

Really close to the capital building...

Pretty building...

Another shot...

Can't wait to post Monday's events!!!!!!

Join in Swapoween!!

It's time for Swapoween!
An exciting Halloween themed swap.
Hosted by Beth & Miss Angie
Are you as excited as I am????

OH YEAH - I am signed up and ready to go!!! This makes up for the fact that I am no longer young enough to trick or treat for goodies!!

If you want to participate just follow the directions below...

Your objective, should you choose to accept:
Fill a box full of Halloween themed goodies for your partner. This can be anything-decorations, candy, costume type things, etc! They can be purchased items, or handmade items-just make sure it's a package you yourself would love to receive!

Who can particpiate:
US Residents
Active Bloggers (Must post at least once a week)

Cost:
Your package should be anywhere from $25 to $40 before shipping. We don't want anyone to feel like they got the short end of the stick or have anyone break the bank-so please stay within those guidelines.

Shipping:
It's up to you how you package and send it, however tracking numbers are mandatory this time. Tracking numbers are usually only about 70 cents extra, and they really help us figure out what happened if a package takes longer to come or doesn't show up. (I personally prefer the flat rate mailing boxes from the post office, because it doesn't matter how heavy it is-it's the same price!)

Dates:
Signups Start: September 21st, 2011

Signups End: September 28th, 2011

Partners Received: October 1st, 2011

Packages Mailed: October 8th or 10th, 2011

Packages Received: October 15th, 2011 (roughly)

Blog Posts up: October 21st, 2011 How to sign up:

GO TO Miss Angie's blog for complete details.

COME ON - SIGN UP - MAYBE WE WILL BE SWAP PARTNERS!!! WOO HOO!!!!

Recap last week - Sessions By The Sea

I spent last week at Sessions By The Sea in Ocean City, Maryland!
What an awesome few days of great speakers, great company (Sherry) and recovery!!!!
Here are a few pics from the week...

This town was on our way from Pgh to MD...I loved the name and had to get this picture out of the car window!!!

Here is the GPS directions....on the way!!


We are here - is this beach amazing or what?!?!

Another shot from the patio at the Hilton!!! No Paris to be found :-(

Made some virgin Pina Coladas to get in the beach vacation mood!!!

Beautiful shot down the boardwalk

The Kite Loft - getting close......my old home is nearby....

What?!?!?! Apparently the old, rickety house that I used to live in (summer of 1987) was torn down and turned into....a Hooters - fitting hugh?!?!? I am soooooo sad!

And...to make matters worse...where I used to work is not there anymore either!!! Miele's Pizza is gone :-( (and where, pray tell, has Danny Miele gone???) Anyway, it is now Bull on the Beach and that too makes me sad...this man taught me how to stretch and throw pizza dough!!!!

I used to have to mop this ugly floor - HA!!!!!!

More sea pictures...

And another...

Sooooooooooo pretty!!!!

I soooooooo love the beach...

Picture from Bayside rather than ocenside....this is right behind the Convention Center in OC......soooo wished I had a fishing pole!!!

I would have loved to fish with these two guys...they never caught a thing the whole time I watched but they sure looked amazingly PEACEFUL!!!!

Pretty flowers by the bay...

These are my kind of steps!!!!! Come along, walk right into the bay - HA!!!

Our banner from the conference - there were also over 2500 people but I am not allowed to show them as anonymity issues would arise...

Last day at the beach....I stayed down there a lonnnnnnng time!!!

We had such a beautiful last day!!!

Picture of the Convention Center Sign welcoming Sessions...took about 10 tries to get this picture while driving by...

Me having fun in my complimentary shower cap and fluffy Hilton Robe (the robe was not complementary however the were for sale in the lobby for $80!!!!)

The logo of the week!!!!!! Thanks Paris!

We drove home on Sunday (Sept.11th) and we saw this on our way back....soooo sad but a beautiful tribute!!

America really is beautiful!!!!!!!

Day 7 - Favorite Vacation

Again I am linking up with Katie's Journey for her 30 Day Challenge!!

It is Day 7 - Favorite Vacation


I have to say, my family goes to Stone Harbor, NJ each year so that is definitely a favorite vacation that I get to have EACH YEAR!!! Who does not LOVE the beach?!?!?

Along with that awesome week I throw in a few long weekends for Conferences (Jackson's Mill and Cook's Forest) that help restore my peace of mind and strength and serenity!! YIPPEE...these also would definitely be favorites!!!

And finally, many many many weekends at the lake (whenever possible whether it is summer, winter, spring or fall - the lake is always amazing!) and mommy and daddy live there too so double bonus - HA!!!!

Any vacation is a favorite vacation to me!!!

Day 6: MOVIES

I am linking up with Katie's Journey for her 30 Day Challenge!

I started a little late (today) on Day 6 but I will try to get all the rest in - HA!

Day 6: Movies

Today is all about our favorite movies.

Here are my favorites in all the different categories.

Favorite Chick Flick: Fried Green Tomatoes
Favorite Date Movie: Just Go With It
Favorite Comedy: Joe Dirt

Favorite Animated Movie: Cars

Favorite 80's Movie: Satisfaction

Favorite Disney Movie: Cinderella
Favorite Drama: The Outsiders
Favorite 90's Movie: The Waterboy