We're a military family. Both of my parents served in the Air Force and we moved a lot as kids. People ask where I'm from and I say, "I claim Virginia." It's where we lived the longest. Where I went to 8-12 grades. Where I went to college. Where I got my first newspaper job right out of college. To me, it's home.
I have moved away a few times and most recently to the distant land of Montana (people, it is really hard to get anywhere from Great Falls by plane. Just sayin'.) I've left the country bunches of times and roadtripped all over. But, I always love coming home.
My mom made this when she was younger than I am now. For years, it hung on the wall of what was my room in high school. It's almost like she knew she'd have a daughter like me one day. And my sisters. We've all wandered and roamed, but always come back home at some point.
I have moved away a few times and most recently to the distant land of Montana (people, it is really hard to get anywhere from Great Falls by plane. Just sayin'.) I've left the country bunches of times and roadtripped all over. But, I always love coming home.
My mom made this when she was younger than I am now. For years, it hung on the wall of what was my room in high school. It's almost like she knew she'd have a daughter like me one day. And my sisters. We've all wandered and roamed, but always come back home at some point.
A dear friend got married over the weekend so I came home for that and since I was booking a flight to Virginia (remember what I said about getting anywhere from Great Falls?), I decided I'd stay awhile. Plus, I got to capture this moment in the Chicago airport. An older couple, both playing on their smartphones. And us millennials always get picked on for being chained to our phones.
Amie looked so happy and beautiful and I'm so glad I could be there for that day, even if it was a haul to get out to Blacksburg. (Think Virginia Tech, that's where the wedding was). Our other great friend, Ellen, was the maid of honor and she was my date for the night. We had a blast dancing the night away, catching up and just being together. We all worked together at a newspaper in Virginia and have all since left and used to get together for dinner/wine nights once a month or so when we were all in D.C., along with our other friend from the paper and my former roommate Danielle.
Amie got a special treat during the reception.
Amie got a special treat during the reception.
That's Ellen dancing with the Hokie bird. The Va Tech mascot had also been to Ellen's wedding, where I ran into him coming out of a porta-potty. Still cracks me up. Even if he is an imaginary bird.
With very little sleep and having had too much fun at the wedding, we roadtripped to D.C. the next day. Ellen dropped me off to catch the metro into the city. Riding a line I rarely used when I lived there took me more time looking at the metro map than I ever remember. I had a giant orange rucksack on my back, I could play tourist.
With very little sleep and having had too much fun at the wedding, we roadtripped to D.C. the next day. Ellen dropped me off to catch the metro into the city. Riding a line I rarely used when I lived there took me more time looking at the metro map than I ever remember. I had a giant orange rucksack on my back, I could play tourist.
It's girly of me, but back in D.C., I just wanted to shop. We don't have many options in Great Falls and I've honestly not bought a single piece of clothing or shoes in six months. Other than some outdoor stuff and a pair of boots that I really needed. It's good for my bank account, but my favorite pair of shoes actually has holes in the bottom now and my wardrobe needs a tiny bit of updating for Montana.
After lunch with a wonderful friend we knew in Alabama, I met up with Erika and we hit the outlets on King Street in Old Town. If you're ever in the area, King Street is great. It's crowded as anything, but they've added new shops and there's a few outlets and something like 200 restaurants on King alone. If you branch off to the side streets, there's even more. Plus, you can walk right down to the Potomac if you want.
I racked up a few good finds and special tip, there's a new Francesca's on the corner near the Nine West outlet. I know Markeshia of Too Thrifty Chicks will be just as excited as I was to see that. Then there was Mexcian food at a great spot in D.C. We used to go to a different location for mega margaritas, but this location was equally awesome. Erika and I are now planning to do a cross-country Mexican food tour. We really love it. A lot. She's on the short list of people who will have chips, salsa and wine/margaritas with me and call it an acceptable dinner.
Then it was up to Capitol Hill, again with the rucksack for just a little bit of work meeting with some Senate staffers, but I always love walking around the Capitol and the National Mall. Politics and humidity aside, it really is a beautiful place. Favorite was being asked by Senate staffers if I was backbacking. Then going back outside and being asked by tourists how to get to Pennsylvania Avenue.
After lunch with a wonderful friend we knew in Alabama, I met up with Erika and we hit the outlets on King Street in Old Town. If you're ever in the area, King Street is great. It's crowded as anything, but they've added new shops and there's a few outlets and something like 200 restaurants on King alone. If you branch off to the side streets, there's even more. Plus, you can walk right down to the Potomac if you want.
I racked up a few good finds and special tip, there's a new Francesca's on the corner near the Nine West outlet. I know Markeshia of Too Thrifty Chicks will be just as excited as I was to see that. Then there was Mexcian food at a great spot in D.C. We used to go to a different location for mega margaritas, but this location was equally awesome. Erika and I are now planning to do a cross-country Mexican food tour. We really love it. A lot. She's on the short list of people who will have chips, salsa and wine/margaritas with me and call it an acceptable dinner.
Then it was up to Capitol Hill, again with the rucksack for just a little bit of work meeting with some Senate staffers, but I always love walking around the Capitol and the National Mall. Politics and humidity aside, it really is a beautiful place. Favorite was being asked by Senate staffers if I was backbacking. Then going back outside and being asked by tourists how to get to Pennsylvania Avenue.
If you're nearby, take the tour! Rotunda is incredible, but my favorite is the quotes in the hallways.
One of my very favorite buildings in the world. Library of Congress. Absolutely beautiful inside, and full of books!
Hart Building, Senate offices
Parents were on their way back from Jersey and picked me up at another Metro stop. Here's something I do not miss about D.C. and the East Coast. Traffic. It took forever to get home, but we have Chik-fil-a! And Panera! I couldn't decide between them. So I let Mom pick.
When we got home, Mom handed me something my Aunt Lee had sent home for me. Lee is super artsy and crafty and has an amazing garden just a block or two off the Jersey shore. She's awesome. And has been reading the blog, so she sent me this. Thanks Aunt Lee! I am putting it to use as soon as I get back to Montana!
When we got home, Mom handed me something my Aunt Lee had sent home for me. Lee is super artsy and crafty and has an amazing garden just a block or two off the Jersey shore. She's awesome. And has been reading the blog, so she sent me this. Thanks Aunt Lee! I am putting it to use as soon as I get back to Montana!
A trip to Trader Joe's made me so happy that I came home and wrote them a note asking for a store in Montana. Doubtful it will happen, but a girl's gotta try!
Mom and I did some bargain shopping and I found great Madden Girl shoes for $15. And a Nine West purse for $29 that I might go back and get. My purse is starting to fall apart. We stopped in Lowe's for a hot second. Mom got three $1 plants and then this happened.
Still trying to find a paint color to go with the tealish tile in the Swan Lake bathroom. It's a challenge. But I think we have a few options. Littlest sister came up with some cool ideas while she Skyped with us from London.
And last night, good friends we knew in Alabama came over for dinner. They just got stationed here and have a three-month old (who is adorable!) and so we rolled out some Southern hospitality. I love my town so I always want to help people love it too. I'm beyond excited that they're here.
Alrighty, that was a lot packed into a few days and a single blog post. Time for more fun and adventures. But until then, look at this little lady!
And last night, good friends we knew in Alabama came over for dinner. They just got stationed here and have a three-month old (who is adorable!) and so we rolled out some Southern hospitality. I love my town so I always want to help people love it too. I'm beyond excited that they're here.
Alrighty, that was a lot packed into a few days and a single blog post. Time for more fun and adventures. But until then, look at this little lady!
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