The ABC's of Trip Reporting- PLEASE JOIN US ON THE NEW THREAD!

[All7OfUs]

I am really ahead of you, here it is Christmas morning! Merry Christmas! We had a lovely evening yesterday with a beautiful church service and dinner.

I thought you might already be up and celebrating!!

We just sent off our last guests and I"m completely cooked. Done. Fried! Between the hearty sangria, the overabundance of socializing, ham and turkey sandwiches, and stocking stuffing, I'm overwrought.

Tomorrow my SIL's family comes (6 of them), and my hubby's family will all be gathered since Mom's funeral. There have already been some teary eyes, as we contemplated her stocking that won't be hung this year. My family has also seen far too many passings this year.... Despite, we have each other and all that He provides. We are well.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Christmas blessings and much love, Liesa.

 

[glennbo123]

Merry Christmas Liesa and family!!

 

[KatMark]

Liesa, I wish you and your wonderful family a very Merry Christmas, dear friend.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Merry Christmas Liesa and Family! ​

 

[jenbear123]

merry christmas liesa and to your family!

 

[MEK]

Merry, MERRY Christmas!

 

[Poolrat]

Merry Christmas Liesa to all of you

 

[All7OfUs]

Hi Everyone!!

I thought you'd be interested to know that my wonderful, provider husband made sure that future posts are secured!! I will share some photos and all the digs on my new little toy(s) later, but rest assured, the TR will continue due to new household technology!!

 

[that's nice]

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas Liesa!

Sounds like you have received a great gift!!!

 

[All7OfUs]

I did, I did!!! Actually, it's still ongoing. The second set of cousins showed up at 5:00 and we just finished a LONG, tasty dinner of smoked brisket (GB would be proud!)

I'll give you 3 guesses for what I"m using to post this... It's very cool!!

And, I just had a first: It took me 4 attempts to log in just now!!!
Don't know if it's the chardonnay or my new toy.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Look at those PTR Titles

Oooooh, duh! Very clever! I like it!

Could your new toy be an iPad or the like? Whatever it is, it sounds like you are lovin' it!

So glad to hear you had a great Christmas!

 

[All7OfUs]

Oooooh, duh! Very clever! I like it!

Could your new toy be an iPad or the like? Whatever it is, it sounds like you are lovin' it!

So glad to hear you had a great Christmas!

You are ON A ROLL!!

Get it?!! S.T.R.A.N.G.E.R.S!! I thought Cynthia was SO clever!!

And yes!! I got an NetBook! An cute little Acer jobbie that will surf and post just great!! I'm so stinkin' stoked!! But that's not all... Mike also got us hooked up with a Verizon plan, an antennae, wireless router, and a USB modem. I'll be connected even in my car!! It's not exactly the iPhone I wanted, but it's a start to being ready to move in- first things first.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Hi Liesa! I just reading through the report, skipped over the chit chat though as that would have taken me ages to read!

You experienced quite a trek and it was very interesting to read about, can't wait to hear more.

 

[All7OfUs]

Y is for Yes! There’s More DisMeet!

Lunch over, it was time to hit the road- or in our case, the rails. Time to see what our fair Capitol City could offer in the way of Touron destinations; and although some had to leave, the group was still big enough to have a lot more smiles! Rosie, Tracy, Glenn and Judy, Rob and Jamie and I made our way to the Metro Station, and had a ride deep into the bowels of DC. Seriously, this was the steepest, longest escalator I have ever seen anywhere!!

The train was just as much DISFun as anything else we did that day! Look, we even had a Jordan sighting! I totally forgot the PTP (Peep Tongue Pose), mostly because I was so shocked that he showed up!

On the way to our train transfer, I saw that we might have been a bit “off track”- so much that we ended up in Magdalene’s neck of the woods.

Successully having navigated our way through the catacombs of the DC Underworld, thanks to the astute map reading skills of our intrepid group

We were spit out in the heart of the glory and grandeur of our nation’s capitol. I think most of us were shocked a bit that we were so close to where we wanted to be, and literally right in the middle of The Mall! Here are the views looking left and right of where we came out.

Tracy and I had a patriotic moment- we were feelin’ the reverence:

I think some of us were pretty wowed that we could get into The American History Museum for no charge. Free is something our government does very little of, so we enjoyed the hospitality by diving into the displays. You’ve all seen the pictures of the Dumbo, but I also found this little gem. Go ahead and zoom in on that text, and you’ll see that it is a costume from the Lion King. Apparently the curators found more than flying elephants interesting.

We saw many more really cool things from America’s most treasured items, like Archie Bunker’s chair, and George W. Bush’s inaugural boots, and I guess I was sucked in pretty hard because every time I turned around I was the only one left in the room. I can’t even count how many times the group ditched me as I ogled at the gowns of the first ladies, the quilts, and other first rate curios.

After that it was time for Glenn and Judy to take off to deal with first day of school “stuff”, and the rest of our group decided to take in the WWII Memorial. It was a GREAT choice. I was moved more than once at the things I saw there. Tastefully done with quite an artistic flair it was, in my opinion, one of the better memorials on the Mall. I will let the pictures tell the story of what we saw:

But it was not any of those images that made my eyes sting and my throat smart: Along one of the walls, near the Fountain of the East Theater was the small picture of a WWII Veteran with a note saying, “Thank you” and “Good bye” from his family. Reverently lying beside it was a single red rose. I wish I had taken a picture, but that was the first of some eminent and very serious battery issues with my camera that I should have paid far better attention to.

All too soon it was time to head back to the Metro to make our way back to Bethesda for our dinner Meet. Nope, we weren’t done yet- there were still others who would join our merry little party!

 

[Flossbolna]

Liesa, what a wonderful present! I am really glad that you got secured communications for your Christmas present! I guess it is not only valuable for keeping in touch with the DIS but also with the many people you know all over the world!

Great update! The museum sounds like just my place! I would love to see Washington DC one day and I am sure that one day it will be the perfect stop on route to WDW. A lot of flights to the US go through IAD anyway, so why not leave the airport for a few days and explore the city.

And I had a great laugh that you returned to Franconia with your DIS friends!!

And finally: I meant to mention this ages ago: I think in your last letter count you did not mention me when you said who got letter "T" - I am sure that I posted an answer, perhaps it was wrong???

 

[All7OfUs]

Liesa, what a wonderful present! I am really glad that you got secured communications for your Christmas present! I guess it is not only valuable for keeping in touch with the DIS but also with the many people you know all over the world!

I really love it so far, except my bars are too few- all the time. The reception here is AWFUL; doing that last update, including uploading my photos to photobucket took well over 2 hours! With my cable connection at the Portland house it only takes me an hour- including writing it and uploading photos. This will take some getting used to- living in the rural country and all...

Great update! The museum sounds like just my place! I would love to see Washington DC one day and I am sure that one day it will be the perfect stop on route to WDW. A lot of flights to the US go through IAD anyway, so why not leave the airport for a few days and explore the city.

I could spend weeks in that one museum alone. The place is just dripping with history!! And not only are there museums, but memorials to many of the wars, a GREAT botanical garden, oodles of park and walking space, the river to contemplate beside- the list goes on and on and on. And don't forget all surrounding historical places like Mt. Vernon, Martha's Vinyard, historic Alexandria, Georgetown U. and all the other fabulous places. I would not want to live there- it's just not my cup of tea, but it IS a tourist's mecca!

And I had a great laugh that you returned to Franconia with your DIS friends!!

Too funny!!! Glenn got a kick out of it too.

And finally: I meant to mention this ages ago: I think in your last letter count you did not mention me when you said who got letter "T" - I am sure that I posted an answer, perhaps it was wrong???

I hadn't posted the answers to T or U yet, so those are still up for grabs. I am leaving in the morning for So. Cal for my grandfather's funeral and military burial, so may or may not be on while I am gone. I am needing and desperately wanting to visit my dying aunt (ALS) so need to make that my priority, but if I have extra time while waiting for flights, I will go back and check my PM box for those who did answer and tally up the winners- I think I know WHO that might be!

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Liessa I am back from the world of the sick!!! Yup I spent most of Christmas in bed !!! Luckily my appetite was still good and alos I madfe it for all the Hi Lights of the holiday and then just slept in between !!

Loved the latest DC pix !!! My several attempts at the Lion Mask just didn't turn out !!

Well gotta get some sleep soon !! My bed is calling !!! Can ya hear it !!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Rosie! Glad you are feeling better - now get to bed it's late again!

Liesa, prayers for you and your family as you travel and honor your grandfather. Hope you get to spend time with your Aunt.

 

[Millie12591]

Camille- So many things to comment on, but seeing it's 11:30 PM on Christmas Eve, the party being over, the stockings stuffed and breakfast goodies laid out, I"m 100% beat, and ready for beddy-bye!! Just know I'm wishing you the most merry and "Gesegnete" Christmas ever!! Love you, my friend!!

No worries Liesa, I had so many things to finish up before Christmas I couldn't get on the DIS. I hope you had a wonderful holiday and I'm praying blessings for your traveling back home.

Hi Everyone!!

I thought you'd be interested to know that my wonderful, provider husband made sure that future posts are secured!! I will share some photos and all the digs on my new little toy(s) later, but rest assured, the TR will continue due to new household technology!!

I just knew there would be some sort of fix to this issue.

I did, I did!!! Actually, it's still ongoing. The second set of cousins showed up at 5:00 and we just finished a LONG, tasty dinner of smoked brisket (GB would be proud!)

I'll give you 3 guesses for what I"m using to post this... It's very cool!!

And, I just had a first: It took me 4 attempts to log in just now!!!
Don't know if it's the chardonnay or my new toy.

You'll get use to it.

You are ON A ROLL!!

Get it?!! S.T.R.A.N.G.E.R.S!! I thought Cynthia was SO clever!!

And yes!! I got an NetBook! An cute little Acer jobbie that will surf and post just great!! I'm so stinkin' stoked!! But that's not all... Mike also got us hooked up with a Verizon plan, an antennae, wireless router, and a USB modem. I'll be connected even in my car!! It's not exactly the iPhone I wanted, but it's a start to being ready to move in- first things first.

You'll have to tell us more about these gizzmo's when you have a chance.

Hi Liessa I am back from the world of the sick!!! Yup I spent most of Christmas in bed !!! Luckily my appetite was still good and alos I madfe it for all the Hi Lights of the holiday and then just slept in between !!

Loved the latest DC pix !!! My several attempts at the Lion Mask just didn't turn out !!

Well gotta get some sleep soon !! My bed is calling !!! Can ya hear it !!!

Awwww. I'm so sorry you were sick through the holidays Rosie. I had so hoped you would have been feeling better by then, hope your on the mend now.