Trippin' 2 - Washington DC

Rick had a business trip to Washington DC

at the end of April, so I tagged along.

We left a couple of days early so we could see some sights together.

We arrived late Friday night and grabbed some dinner then

early Saturday morning we left for the 2 hour drive to

Gettysburg National Military Park.

We started at the visitors center and viewed the museum then ate lunch.

We purchased the book/CD 'Gettysburg Field Guide' by TravelBrains

 and started our exploration.  The book has a map with 15 sites to see while you listen to the information on the CD.

We loved Gettysburg!

While in Gettysburg we found a place called "Barlow Knoll".

A battle took place here led by Brig. General Francis Barlow.

We are checking to see if there is any relation. Interesting.

My favorite soldier in the civil war was Colonel Joshua Chamberlain.

This is a monument dedicated to him and his brave men.

Their actions literally helped win the civil war.

He was an amazing man and a heroic leader. 

 Google him to find out more.

Speaking at the dedication of the Monument to the 20th Maine 

twenty years after the war he wrote:

"In great deeds something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear, but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls. And reverent men and women from afar, and generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field to ponder and dream; And lo! the shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and the power of the vision pass into their souls."

So inspiring. That was exactly how we felt there.

The next day we went to the Smithsonian. 

We started at Ricks favorite, the Air and Space Museum.

Always fasinating.

Before we left for DC we contacted our congressman's office and we were

able to be invited on a personalized US Capitol tour

 by one of his staff members.

It was really cool because we were able to bypass all of the long lines.

  When the Capitol tour was over we took the underground tunnel to the Library of Congress.  This

has to be one of the most beautiful buildings
 I have ever seen.

Stunning architecture.  Beautiful paintings and carvings.
 Very symbolic.

We found that most of the historic buildings in Washington DC have

lots of symbolism. 

 (read Dan Brown's 'The Lost Symbol')

On Tuesday through the same congressman's office I was invited to tour

the White House.  Rick was not able to come because of meetings.

Unfortunately I have no pictures because you're not able to

bring anything on the tour. 

No purses or cameras or even lip or hand lotion.

I had to go through 3 checkpoints where

 they checked my ID and crossed my

name off of their lists.  While there I looked out a window and happened

to see President Obama boarding his helicopter.  It was pretty cool.

Give respect where it is due, he is our President.

 After the White House tour I walked to the Ford Theater

and went to the museum and then a short 2 man play they

put on about the assasination of President Lincoln.

From there I walked over

 to the National Gallery of Art.

Could spend days there.

Wednesday I went to the US Botanic Garden...

It was the most peaceful place.  Everyone spoke in hushed tones.

It felt 'reverent' there.  Beautiful displays

 of plants, flowers, trees and shrubs.

What wonderful creations!

Then over to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Very sobering. 

On Thursday before we left to the airport we stopped by the

 Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

There is a wonderful visitors center there with a huge emphasis on families.

Thanks for joining me on this travelog posting.

Washington DC is an amazing place with so much history. It's

hard to convey all the sites it has to offer.  But one thing is for sure...

I'm grateful I'm an American! 

Trippin'

                                             

In February my sister Susie, her husband Mike, my brother-in-law Brownie,

Rick and I went on a Mexican Riviera Cruise.

Ahhhh, the sunshine! What a welcome change from the deep

cold weather we had been dealing with.

We had such a great time.  It's not the places you go,

but the people you are with that make it great.

We were at sea for two days and had a wonderful time;

eating, sleeping, reading, eating, eating and eating.

Our first port was Acapulco.

We got off the ship and walked across the street to the old

Fort San Diego.  It was a taste of Mexican history.

 

Then we hired a local guide to take us around.

We were able to experience the true 'local' flavor of Mexico.

Picking out the fresh Snapper at an out of the way beach restaurant.

Enjoying our freshly grilled fish.

Of course we experienced the cliff divers...

at night no less...

These are two divers jumping off with torches.

Acapulco at night.

Then on to Zihuatanejo.  They give you a prize if

you can pronounce it correctly. :)

 

We took a water taxi over to the little beach cove called Playa Las Gatas.

What a relaxing day. 

The kind of day you fantasize about when

you feel you need to get away...perfection.

 Sipping pina coladas...virgin, of course.

Snorkling, people watching, and Rick's $10 - 30 minute massage.

Heaven...

      

Then on to Ixtapa. 

It wasn't much, mostly a huge shipping port. 

We just got off the ship and walked along the waterfront. 

   It was a beautiful warm day.  Absolutely delightful!

Our last meal before we docked at San Diego.

This is my idea of a vacation.  Just show up.

It's always sad to say goodbye...

Grandpa...that was not fun...

(Grandpa Rick & Cody)

The Saturday before Easter we were tending our two  grandsons, Connor (10 yrs) and Cody (4 yrs). Their parents had taken their sister Lauren (8 yrs) to her first session of General Conference.  It has become a tradition when their kids get baptized to attend a session.

 Anyway....the boys were dropped off at about 8:30 a.m.

  Grandpa (Rick) had a haircut appointment at 9:00 a.m.  On his way home at about 9:20 a.m., Grandpa noticed that at Centerville City Park they were having an Easter egg hunt at 9:30 am.

  He called me and I quickly got the boys ready (including bags for egg collection)

 and he picked us up and we raced to the park (of course getting behind the slowest drivers).

  We parked at about 9:35 a.m. and by the time we arrived...it was over. OVER!

Not an egg to be had. 

 There were hundreds of kids with what seemed to be thousands of eggs

 and not one, no, not one egg for the boys!

It was very cold with a little skiff of snow on the ground

 so we dragged ourselves back to the car to get warm.

  As we were pulling out Cody says: "Grandpa...that was not fun".  

It struck a funny cord and Rick & I laughed and laughed all the while

 with Cody saying, "what's so funny?".  

 So, Grandpa owed them. 

We took them to Walmart and let them choose a toy around $5.00.

Luckily every Easter Grandpa (Rick) does host a grandkids Easter egg hunt at our house.

  It was so cold and wet outside that he hid the candy filled eggs in the basement.

  For a few minutes it is utter mayhem, but the kids love it.

 And this time we weren't late!

                                        (Lesson learned: Never be late to an Easter egg hunt!)

My First Tag

Thanks Diana for the tag!

  Her challenge was to go to your first picture file and

 download the 10th picture and explain it.

  Well, I had to go to the 5th folder

because it was the first folder with more than 10 pictures.

This picture was taken on Halloween 2005.

My daughter Jenny is shown with her 2 daughters (my grand-daughters).

Kaitlyn is the pretty princess and is about 3 1/2 years old.

The cute little lamb is Anna at about 7 months old.

Now see how they've grown in 5 short years!

Purse-o-mania

At our Relief Society meeting last Tuesday night

 the theme was 'Purses'.

  I was asked to provide a centerpiece

 for one of the tables around that theme.

Sounds easy enough.

Well, it was more difficult that I thought it would be.

Somewhere I came up with the idea of a 'purse bouquet'.

Downloaded some pictures of purses (or 'bags' as my daughters call them)

from google images and printed them out, then cut them, attached them

to green wires, tied bows and provided a greenery base and

Voila!

Purse Bouquet Extraordinaire!

The Look of Love

Valentine's Day always seems to bring out the best in people. 

 What could be better than expressing feelings of love and gratitude to your friends and family?

To my friends and family:

  Thank you for being a part of my life. 

 I'm a better person for knowing you.

I love and appreciate you.

I'm grateful for your love and generosity. 

 I hope our love for each other will continue to grow

 and that we can always inspire each other to goodness.

Gordon B. Hinckley said:

"Love is of the very essence of life. It is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yet it is more than the end of the rainbow. Love is at the beginning also, and from it springs the beauty that arches across the sky on a stormy day. Love is the security for which children weep, the yearning of youth, the adhesive that binds marriage, and the lubricant that prevents devastating friction in the home; it is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death. How rich are those who enjoy it in their associations with family, friends, church, and neighbors.

I am one who believes that love, like faith, is a gift of God."

 To me, you are gifts of God.

Watch out Mexico!

Doesn't this look like FUN!

It's been 4 years since we've been on a 'real' vacation. 

We've traveled close by with our trailer

and I've been able to accompany Rick on some

business trips, but not like this!

We're going with my sister Susie and her husband Mike

and my brother-in-law Brownie.

 Shipmates.

Can't wait!

Watch out Acapulco(with an average year-round temperature

of 86 degrees!) Watch out Zihuatanejo and Manzanillo!

We are coming!

And we are going to have FUN!

OUT with the old, IN with the new!

As 2009 comes to a close I'm breathing a sign of relief.

I made it! It's been a tough year!

I'm looking forward with great anticipation to 2010

knowing that it will be better.

What can I look forward to?

For starters:

 Rick & I with my sister and two brothers-in-law are going

on a Mexican riviera cruise in February,

 and we have a Roland & Nelda Jensen

family reunion in July

in Pine Valley, UT.

Let's add to the list!

How about a beautiful Spring season...

and a warm summer...

a fantastic fall with lots of peaches!

Then on to Christmas again.

I'm so grateful!  I'm blessed beyond measure.

Even though the going gets tough,

life remains wonderful!

Goodbye 2009, I'm ready to embrace 2010!

Who's with me?

The Most Wonderful Time

What a wonderful time we had!

Everyone came at noon (well almost everyone)

and we had 'the feast'.

Our annual Christmas Day Brunch.

Everyone looks forward to this meal all year long.

At least the adults do.  The kids seem to be

fine not eating anything.  I'm sure when they

get older they will learn to appreciate

the finer things in life!

After everyone enjoyed the great food we opened gifts.

Tony opened his Austin Collie 'Colts' jersey and was

heard to say something to the effect....

'Sweeeet...best Christmas present ever'

At least that's the rumor.

He looked great in it by the way!

Mr. Claus

Our annual tradition of making Spritz cookies....

1 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/2 cup sugar

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 egg

1 tsp. almond extract or vanilla

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Cream butter and sugar. 

Blend in remaining ingredients. 

Fill cookie press with 1/4 of dough at a time;

form desired shapes on ungreased baking sheet. 

Bake 6 to 9 minutes or until set but not brown.

YUM!

Sunrise, Sunset

34 years ago,

my brand new sisters-in-law,

Pat & Lynn,

sang this song at our wedding breakfast.

(Sunrise, Sunset)

Everyone was crying except Rick & me.

We were just happy to finally be

starting the 'sunrise'

of our new lives together.

It truly does seem like just yesterday

Rick & I are soulmates. 

We are cut out of the same cloth,

two peas in a pod,

bread and butter,

We are best friends.

Now as we are hurdling toward the

'sunset' of our lives,

the love we feel for each other

becomes more clear,

more pronounced,

less encumbered,

more pure.

I love you Rickey,

Higher than the sky,

Deeper than the sea.

Givingthanks

Thanksgiving at the Barlow home...

I am hosting Thanksgiving this year. (again)

Kathy, Tony, Connor, Lauren and Cody will be here

along with Jenny, Brady, Kaitlyn, Anna and Alivia.

My sister Bonnie and her husband Dennis will be

coming up from Orem (as long as it doesn't snow).

On the menu....

Turkey

Apple dressing

Mashed potatoes

Gravy

Candied sweet potatoes (ala Kathy)

Spiced carrots (per Jen's request)

Traditional jello salad with pretzels (ala Jenny)

Bread rolls with homemade strawberry jam

Homemade cranberry sauce

Pumpkin pie with whipped cream (ala Bonnie)

Water with lemon

What can be better than this?

  Good food, great family, warm home,

 blessings too many to mention!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Heebie Jeebies

A neighbor came over to visit last week and this is what greeted her on our front porch.......

Mr. hairy, long legs, bigger than *@&#, creepy, crawley

Tarantula

He was about as big as your hand stretched out!

I have to say that our neighbor is an elementary school teacher and she was sooo excited!

  Yes, excited!

  I was blubbering and whimpering...but she insisted on catching it.  She could hardly wait to take it to school and show her students.

We were more than happy to get rid of it, but we did have to catch it first.

The first couple of containers were too small...then I found one big enough and with some manuevering and quickness, Mr. Barlow and neighbor caught it.

The picture above was taken through plastic wrap.

I don't know anything about taranulas.  I really don't care.  I'm just glad it's gone from my space.

This must be my personal welcome to Halloween.

muaaaahahhhhh!!!

"Fall"ing in Love

I Love Fall!

I love this tree.

It is just below my house on 2nd East.

It is beautiful.

This is the front north west corner of my house.

The burning bushes are spectacular!

See this one below...

Did I tell you?!

I love the warm days and cool crisp nights.

I love not having my A/C or furnace on.

I love being able to open my windows and let fresh air in.

I love to look at pumpkins.

We went to the Syracuse Pumpkin Walk last night with Kathy's family and had so much fun.

Rick, Tony, Connor, Cody and Lauren

I know these beautiful days will have to come to an end, but boy am I enjoying them now!

Saying Goodbye Again

My sister Sharry passed away last Sunday night. 

She courageously battled ovarian cancer for almost 4 years. 

She lost. 

Comfort comes because she is now free of her horrible pain and suffering. 

She is dancing and singing and leading music and probably looking around for Beethoven.

 She is reunited with Dad, Mom, grand-daughter Elizabeth and her sister Deanna. 

She will be missed.