Rats! Christmas in DC

I braved the cold last night and headed down to DC to catch the lights at the National Botanical Garden. I felt a bit rushed. I got stuck at work an hour later than I had planned (had to go back to work today even though it was suppose to be a vacation day - - 6 hours more than I expected....grrr). By the time I got down to DC I had an hour before the gardens closed. So I rushed around to take pictures of what I wanted to take - - note to self: bring a different tripod next year.

I may head down again over the weekend to photograph some of this with more natural light. It was so dark and people would walk in front of the spot lights and it was in a cramped room so I didn't even feel comfortable putting my camera on a tripod. I liked it better outside.

Below is Caterpillar garden.

Can you see the tree people?

Look! Its a book worm!

It was called Caterpillar garden because the train was painted to look like a caterpillar.

The next portion was the Fairy Tale Express. Below is Cinderella's castle. It kind of looks like one of the castles along the Rhine in Germany, doesn't it?

This is Santa's village. I like how they used plants with white leaves to give the effect of snow.

Town houses in the German village along the mountainside of the Cinderella castle.

Out in the main area, they have the miniatures of the landmark government buildings. Can you guess which one this is?

This should help you out (oh by the way, I was not in the reflecting pool - - very close but not in it). The building below is the Capital Building. These miniatures are up all year long and they surround the structures with seasonal flowering plants. Its always so beautiful.

The Garden's Christmas tree. I think this tree is so beautiful. It is just dripping in lights and ornaments. Someday, my tree will look like this -- with Christmas village and train running around the base.

Now, on to the capital. Below is a historically significant picture. Why? Read the sign:

All of the scaffolding that you see are being put up for the Obama inauguration. Yes, they are starting that early.

On the way back to the metro, I encountered one of DC's most prolific residents. A black rat. I took two pictures of this guy as he tried to scurry away from me. I'm not sure but after the second picture, I may have blinded him or something because....

He stopped stood on his hind legs, sniffed the air and started trotting up to me. Yes, he stopped running away from me and came scurrying at me. YIKES! I didn't know if I should try and take a picture or not. I chose not to because he was moving really fast and I haven't had a rabies vaccination. So, I took a step back and that startled him. He jumped and did a back flip kind of thing (funny, actually) and then scurried away from me. I'm not sure what he was doing. Maybe he thought I had food for him. Who the heck feeds the rats?

Any way, that was the closest I have ever been to a rat - - he came within a foot of my feet. So does this mean I lost a game of "Chicken" to a rat?

I ran into three additional buddies of his on the path back to the metro. GROSSS!

I didn't venture over to the White House because, did I mention, it was cold. The walk to the metro made me feel like my legs were going to freeze off. I think it was 20 degrees. I don't do well with cold weather.

Have a wonderful Christmas Eve and Day with your family and friends!

Montford Point Marines' Tree

The Christmas tree overlooking the Leatherneck Gallery and the Harrier is dedicated to the Montford Point Marines. The Montford Point Marines were the first African American Marines since the Revolution. I do not know why African Americans did not join the Marine Corps or why the Marine Corps would not allow them to join until World War II.

Mumford Point (later renamed Montford Point) was the location for Basic Training for all African American Marines to serve in World War 2. At this time, units in the military, all branches, were segregated. It wasn't until the Korean War that units were de-segregated.

You can find out more information on the Montford Point Marine Association, an organization dedicated to preserving the history of that first group of black Marines.

There are some special ornaments on this tree, besides the names of ALL of the Montford Point Marines, there are ornaments dedicated to those Montford Point Marines who received the Medal of Honor.

On the back of each ornament was the story of their actions that earned them this honor.

I recommend a visit to the link I provided above to the Montford Point Marine Association web page, lots of good information and pictures.

Magical Christmas Plans

Last year, I happened upon Christmas at the National Botanical Garden (above) and just fell in love. Oh my gosh! This is the best Christmas display in the Nation's Capital.

It catapulted me back to being 6 years old when Christmas was a magical holiday. Christmas was a holiday where angels sang, we waited excitedly for baby Jesus to be put in the manger at church. Rudolf, Santa, the elves and all the magical creatures of the holiday stepped out.

I imagined the Christmas lights on the trees as tiny fairies dancing to the Christmas music. I imagined talking mice families stocking up on the good cookie crumbs my sisters and I would drop (granted the thought of little mice families doing that now really grosses me out). I love Lionel trains. Believe it or not I once had one.

I love the little Christmas villages and was well on my way to collecting and building a magical one myself. I would imagine myself miniaturizing so I could fit in that perfect Christmas village, where you always got home on time to enjoy a nice cozy dinner with the family, sing carols, head to the high school for a basketball game, then to the diner for hot chocolate followed by a late night ice skating in the town square. A place where Christmas was always a sparkling snow covered paradise that never felt cold.

I think this is why I love Christmas and decorating. However, I don't like how early everyone is decorating now. When you have two months of Christmas decorations and songs, it all kind of loses its 'specialness'.

The National Botanical Garden is open until 8 p.m. tomorrow and I am going to try to make it down there to experience the magic and take pictures with my "good" digital SLR. I debate going in the evening because it will be very dark and I won't be able to photograph the details of the Christmas villages they will have set up - - but I can always go back on Christmas Eve during the day, right?

Princess Party Lots of Fun Despite Freezing Rain

The weather couldn't put the kibosh on the 5th Annual Princess Party. These are the ladies in my small group doing their best Charlie's Angels pose in front of my tree. Gosh everyone was SOOOOOO pretty.

Providence was upon me this day. About a month ago part of the siding on my house blew off and I needed to get it fixed. I was able to schedule that fixing on the day of the Princess party so I had to take the day off. I used it to clean like a mad woman and get everything set up.

Here is the spread. Cheese, crackers, chocolate, spinach dip, fruit and veggies.

This is my buffet table in the kitchen where I made Bride's Punch and we had sparkling cider.

I was bopping around taking pictures of everyone but eventually handed the camera off to one of my friends and she took pictures of me with the different groups of my friends. This is my favorite picture of me - - mainly because I don't look fat in this picture.

So anyway, what is the jist of the Princess Party?

"In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons and daughters through Jesus Christ. In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Ephesians 1: 5, 7-8

This is the "theme" verse. God is the King - - the BIG KING, the ALMIGHTY KING and in this verse it says that we have been adopted as his daughters. Well, if we are daughters of The King, what does that make us?

Princesses.

We get dressed up in formal gowns, eat and socialize then we have the 'crowning' ceremony. Everyone selects a gift box or bag along with tiara from under the tree. Every year, I've been able to find some poem or reading that is specific for this event and I read that. Then one by one everyone opens their gift box and pulls out the Bible verse and reads it to the group. (also in the box/bag are some really good chocolates).

The neat thing is, it seems like the verses people get in their boxes always mean something or really touch a cord with them. That in itself is pretty amazing because I randomly select a bunch of verses (more than I need) then randomly put the verses in the boxes and everyone randomly picks a box. The Holy Spirit is pretty awesome. Its kind of like a Biblical fortune cookie. After everyone has read their verse we go around and we share what the verse meant to us. For some people, this is too personal- - you only have to share if you want to.

My verse last year was about finding rest in the Lord - - I have horrible sleep issues so I did cry when I read that verse. This year my verse was Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, "I'll tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

This year our verses also contained a small verse from a poem - - mine was George Eliot, "Every soul that touches yours - - be it the slightest contact - - gets there from some good."

Last week in Bible study I had talked to the girls in my group about this. How I wondered why God was putting certain people in my life. Guess this was a reminder that there is a reason and its either that I am to get some good from them or they from me - - and whatever I do for anyone I meet - - however I treat someone or act - - I should do it as if doing it for the Lord.

Above, my friend K, who had been the leader of the first Bible study I had ever been a part of, with the ladies in her current small group. Five years ago, these ladies were in High School, now they are in college -- I feel so old!

And I just saw on facebook that the other ladies that had been part of our first small group, had their own Princess Party. They formed a "Young Married Women's" group - - so they all wore their wedding dresses to the party. How cool is that? One of the girls commented that her husband thought they were crazy - - but she figured they all spent a lot of money on their dresses so why not wear them again. I think that is so awesome!

I had to include a shot of Ranger. Silly boy. He looks really annoyed, doesn't he? He realized I was having people over so he was positioning himself to sneak out the door should someone take a little too long to come inside. He realizes I'm on to his little plan. But who knows, maybe he is annoyed because I tried to put a girlie tiara on his head for a picture.

Why the Stink over Rick Warren Delivering Invocation at Inauguration?

I don't understand what the the big hoopla is all about. I heard on the radio this morning that gay rights and pro-abortion organizations are up and arms over Obama's choice and I read this morning that Christian Conservatives are disappointed with Warren for accepting.

So, if both sides aren't happy, does that mean you've done something right?

The gay rights and pro-abortion orgs are ticked because Warren is a staunch pro-lifer and anti-gay marriage proponent. He's a Christian minister - - he better be pro-life and anti-gay marriage because both go against the Bible. Acts 5:29 - - "We must obey God rather than human authority." Sometimes that is hard to do. I'm a human being, I know what it is like to be in love with someone - - I can't imagine the frustration of not being able to marry the person I love. I also struggle with the abortion issue - - while I believe it is the wrong choice for someone to make, it is not a choice I would make. Making it illegal won't end the practice and the thought of unregulated, illegal providers scares me.

The Conservatives are disappointed because they think Warren is being opportunistic and is trying to be the next Billy Graham. What is wrong with being opportunistic? God gives us opportunities so that His Glory can shine. I just pray that Warren uses this opportunity to promote God's agenda - - and no one else's. Secondly, no one will ever be Billy Graham. While Warren's goal is the same as Graham, to bring as many people to Jesus Christ as possible, they have different gifts and have different styles. I also believe there are seasons for people. God is in control of those seasons. I believe Mr. Graham and Mr. Warren are on the same team - - so what difference does it make?

Maybe its the season for Rick Warren. Maybe he is a person who can influence American politics and the public positively toward Christian ideals and teachings. I loved the political forum he held at his church. That was great. What a great way to bring the issues that are important to Christians into the mainstream media.

What do you think about the Purpose Driven Life pastor blessing the Obama presidency?

Christmas at Ranger's Girl's House

I put my tree up last weekend. Still so much to do! For some reason it seems like I have less time this year to get things done.

The fuzzy kiddos tried to help this year. Well, one of them tried to help. This is Stryker helping me with the ribbons I used to tie garland up to my banister.

Not having thumbs made it a little difficult for him to make bows. So, he decided he'd just hang out and look cute. This is the little guy who broke his leg last year. Many guys I know have said they would have had him put down. Even though I am still paying his leg off, he is such a sweet little guy, I can't imagine life without him. Putting him to sleep was never an option.

Step one with the tree: I decided to ditch the fake berry garland because the cats kept eating it and the little Styrofoam berries were a pain to clean up. I opted for white Poinsettias.

For some additional color - -I love red - - I added the pretty red and gold ribbon between the garland.

All decorated!

This is what it looks like without the flash.

Ranger checking out the snowflake ornaments. He did attempt to climb the tree but I put a stop to that really quick.

Here is my cool new ornament for the season, a National Museum of the Marine Corps ornament. It has all of the air craft that are in the Leatherneck gallery.

Stryker claims his spot on the tree skirt. He's pretty tired from 'helping' me so he's annoyed that I interrupted his nap for this picture.

I'm Missing the Company Christmas Party because of a Flat Tire!!!

I'm really disappointed. I've been looking forward to the company Christmas party since they sent out the reserve a date with its location -- the Udvar-Hazy Center - - the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum's Annex out by the Dulles Airport.

On my drive home from work tonight, I got a flat tire. Thank goodness for AAA! So I'm driving on the donut. And the donut is a little low on air - - at least it isn't flat. So anyway, I won't be going anywhere this whole weekend. I tried to see if the tire place near my house could get new Tires on my car this weekend - - nope, not till Monday. They will call me after 9 a.m. to let me know if they have the tires or not. I can't drive to work until I get a new tire. Its just so frustrating!

I cried a bit when I got home. I love dress-up parties. I did the whole feel sorry for myself crap because I'm single - - if I were dating someone or married, he could drive and we'd still be able to go to the party and I wouldn't be stuck in my house all weekend.

The positives. I've had a slow leak in this tire for some time. I've asked my mechanic to check it out and he said it was fine. My dad helped me fill it with air (I am horrible with air) when I was home. So it was a good thing I didn't get a flat while driving to Ohio or Michigan and back to DC.

The other positive is that it forces me to get the stuff done around the house that I need to complete - - like my Christmas cards and gift wrapping. And I can get to bed early and continue recovering from my cold.

At least the Princess Party is coming up so I can still wear the outfit I bought.