Anniversary Weekend pt. 1

I'm just gonna warn you now, there's a LOT of pictures in this post. Like a hella lot.

Kev and I celebrated our 10th anniversary on August 27th, (I can't believe it's been 10 years!) and we were trying to think of where to go to celebrate. We thought about the beach, but I don't do well just sitting somewhere for 3 days. I need to move around. I can do one full day at the beach and maybe another half, but I just don't care about the water. There, I said it. I don't care about the beach. Then we thought about Canada, but the flights were really expensive. I kept mentioning Williamsburg VA, but then I realized I'd just been listening to a lot of Hamilton and I wanted to see something historical. When we thought about what we wanted to do, a trip to Washington DC met all of our criteria! Endless stuff to look at, founding fathers, food and booze. Win!

I left Raleigh and flew into Reagan International where Kevin picked me up. It was odd, I've never had trouble finding where my baggage was being off-loaded but I wandered around for a while looking for it. Finally, I saw my bag off to the side, not on the conveyor belt, like it had been sitting there for hours. I landed, maybe 15 minutes prior. It was all very odd.

Anyways, Kev found me and we headed to our first hotel. Before he decided to go up before me and visit his family, we'd planned on driving up Friday and staying halfway, now we were in DC for an extra day and our "special" hotel was booked Saturday - Monday. We stayed at a Kimpton hotel, which is always fun and quirky and they allow pets, so there are dogs everywhere. We stayed in one in Pittsburgh last time and there was a giant dog bed in the room.

I was pretty hungry and we decided on sushi for dinner. I stink, and I don't remember the name of the place, but it was fancy AF sushi. I love me some bogo or discounted rolls, and this was not that, but it was some of the freshest and most delicious sushi I'd ever eaten.

I started with a saki-tini which was pineapple flavored and yum

I went with the an assortment platter and Kev got a similar one. It was plenty of food for me, but Kev though that he'd need to spend $100 before getting full. After we left, we went to Georgetown and stopped at Good Stuff Eatery where Kev got a burger and some fries. It was a progressive dinner. 

Across the street was Georgetown Cupcake which got mixed reviews from my Facebook friends. A lot of people said it wasn't worth the hype. The were good but not really line out the door around the block good. 

The were pretty

I had the butterscotch waffle cone cupcake and it was gooooood. 

The next morning I woke up ready for a day of sight seeing. Even though we said we weren't exchanging presents, Kev had a surprise waiting for me.

He'd gotten me a super cute bracelet. I actually wore it that day while walking around and it tarnished. This is not my first piece of Tiffany silver and it should not tarnish, especially in one day. We brought it back on the way home and they really concerned about it and I wasn't confident that it wouldn't happen again, when I was miles away from a Tiffany Store, so I opted to return it. (I ended up with a David Yurman bracelet instead). Tiffany fail. I have pieces for 10+ years without any tarnish. 

Anyways, on to the sightseeing!

Andrew Jackson on a horse!

The White House!

We tried to get tickets to the White House tour, which you need to request in advance and get a letter from your Congressman (I kid you not). We were denied because "there are too many kids having tours and they're more important". (I'm paraphrasing) Damn future leaders of the country wanting to see the White House. 

More White House

Everyone give it up for America's favorite fighting Frenchmen! #Lafayette

If you want to go on the tour of the Treasury, you have to request that in advance too. Which we didn't. Instead, I have to take a far away shot of the Hamilton statue.

He's there.

For the day we decided to get tickets for the hop on hop off tour buses and go see the major monuments, I'd never been to any of them before. 

The Capitol

Washington Monument was up first. Unfortunately the elevator was broken and you couldn't go up to the top.

The view to the Lincoln Memorial was AMAZING

The Jefferson Memorial from the bus.

Coming up the stairs.

Sometimes it makes me wonder why I even bring the thunder. #Jefferson

Oh, hey, look at that. Founding Fathers say that you can come to this country and not be persecuted for their religious beliefs. Huh, it's still timely today, isn't it. 

Gorgeous view

Peace out Jefferson

A tour of all things Hamilton, but not actually seeing Hamilton wouldn't be complete without a little Arron Burr. But just a little Burr.

Yea, Hamilton just kept talking trash about Burr for years until he finally challenged him.

After we got our fill of Jefferson, it was back on the bus and over to the Lincoln Memorial

The outside

The view from the other side was pretty sweet too.

What Up Abe?

We still had some time, so we stopped at the Archives and saw the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Deceleration of Independence. You can't take pictures inside the archives, but it was pretty awesome to be able to see the documents in person.

Finally we got back to the hotel. We'd moved from the Kimpton to ... The Jefferson. Yep! A historical hotel full of nothing but Jefferson. The place was amazing and the service impeccable. When we got back from sightseeing, this was waiting for us.

They gave us non-chocolate strawberries because of my soy allergy. 

I took a nap and then it was time to get ready for our anniversary dinner. We had reservations at the Prime Rib which is a pretty schmancy, jacket-required restaurant. When I tell you it was full of nothing but old mobsters, I'm not exaggerating, and I'm known to exaggerate. I LOVE OLD MOBSTERS. Like, so much. It was perfect. 

The cocktail napkin

We sat at the bar for a bit and had a drink and listened to the live music, which was a pianist and a bass player, both old and awesome. The bartender (who you could tell had heard some stories in his day) made me what might be the strongest cosmo of my life. And he made extra in the shaker. When I was halfway through he topped me off. Soon the table was ready and I stumbled to the table.

Soon came cosmo #2 which was rimmed in crushed ice. 

Pretty

We were eating at the Prime Rib. We had Prime Rib. Kev had some sort of potato and I wanted corn, because I hadn't had corn in a while. I remember it being really good. Then I think we shared a piece of cheesecake. I'll be honest, I was pretty tipsy at that point. 

We soon made it back to the hotel. I think we took and Uber, it was a long day and everything was kind of a blur at the end. 

That was our official anniversary! It was a pretty awesome day and a great way to celebrate 10 years of marriage!

Linking up with Amanda - Meet @ the Barre! AND

Nine Things about Me

Another Fun List today. I saw this one on Instagram and decided to put it up in ye olde Blog instead. So, here goes.

1. Last thing you watched on Netflix – I don’t know if it was on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, but eh, they’re the same thing for me. Naked Gun. Damn, I forgot how funny that movie was and if you were wondering, it totally holds up. Kev and I were watching the most recent OJ documentary series, “OJ, Made in America” and they were talking about his acting career and how it never really, shall we say, took off like he wanted. Everyone thought Naked Gun was perfect for him. He was in if for all of 5 minutes and got shot and the crap kicked out of him. Heh heh heh.

2. Height – 5’3”. Yes, I’m short, and whenever possible I wear heels or something to make me a little taller. One time my chiropractor suggested that I perhaps wear flats or an orthopedic shoe. I explained that he must have me mistaken for a different patient, because that would never happen. It only happened 1x and he realized the error of his ways.

3. Last thing you listened to? - Like on purpose or something that happened to be playing? If we go wit on purpose, I was listening to the Broadway Showstoppers Pandora channel all day at work yesterday. It was definitely a Broadway sort of day. When I was at the nail salon last week, there were playing a fab mix of songs (I can’t believe I wrote that when you read the next part). I asked which Pandora station it was and she said it was the “Artists like Celine Dion” channel. In my defense, they were playing “Total Eclipse of the Heart” which is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE SONGS, because Jim Steinman (he wrote most of Meatloaf’s songs AND Celine’s “Its all coming back to me now”.

4. Cats or Dogs? Ahhh. Both? If I had to choose, I’ve always been a cat person and cats really like me. But I have a dog too and Cleo is awesome.

We went for a run one day and she reached maximum derp.

5. Zodiac Sign? - Sagittarius. If you read anything about the characteristics of people with certain zodiac signs, yea, it's totally me.

6. Worst Fear - I could get really deep here, but worst fear, heights. I hate hate heights. F them. 

7. Relationship Status - Married. It'll be 10, yes 10 years for me and Kev in August!

8. Favorite Band?- For everyone who knows me, and I'm sure I've mentioned it on the blog 100x. BON JOVI! I have been a fan since Slippery When Wet came out in 1986. Yes. That long. 

DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH GREY HAIRED JON BON JOVI IN THE DIRECTV COMMERCIAL?!?!?! BECAUSE I DO. There is no need for him to be grey. color that -ish. Really, it's making me feel old. Jon, you are my first crush and I have mad love for you, but I need you not to  be grey, M-kay?

9. One thing you can’t live without - Chapstick.

This is just on the end table next to me. There are 3 in my car, 2 in my purse, 3 at work, a few on the bedside table... In my defense, Godiva knocks them off the table and they roll under the couch. I think I've lost them, or Cleo ate them (she likes to chew on the tubes) and I get another one from the stash. Kev found 5 under the couch the other day. #IMightHaveAProblem

Happy Wednesday!

Five Thing Friday - Running Edition?

WHAT?? Did I say the running edition??? Oh yes, yes I did. When I ran the 5k last weekend, it had literally been months since I'd last ran. I almost had to relinquish my "runner's card".

I should have made time for it. Instead I sat on my ass for the first few months of the year, went back to JC, and knew I had to get back into the fitness grove. I didn't run though, I went to spin class, a lot. However, I'm slowly coming to the realization that I can't love spin like I want. Because I keep throwing my lower back. hips out of place when I do. Hence my more frequent trips to the chiropractor.

Me - Soooo, what exercise can I do tomorrow?
Dr. B - Well, I'd say you could go to spin class, because it's lower impact, but you'll hurt yourself. Go run instead.
Me - On a treadmill?!?! It's 90 degrees outside. It's like you don't even know me.
Dr. B - Whenever they say that  90% of patients who are successful should follow one path, and 10% defy standard medical practice? You're the 10%.
Me - I'll take that as a compliment.

Really though, my chiropractor is awesome. If you live in the Raleigh area, Osborne Chiropractic is fantastic. I've been regularly for maintenance and they've helped me for normal aches and pains and the few times I've been injured.

OK, on to my 5 Running things. The 5 things I think about most while running.

1. Does that hurt? Am I in pain? Is that a normal running twinge or am I hurting myself? Oh Lord, please don't let me be hurting myself, I don't have time to be injured. Oh, my shoulder is getting sore, I must be tense, I should relax more when I run. How's my form? Is it OK? let me check my stride, it doesn't hurt OK, good.

2. That dude is walking by himself on the trail. I hope he's not looking for people to kidnap. If I scream, will anyone hear me? What if they don't hear me, can I get away? I'm kinda sweaty, I might slip out of his grasp. I could kick him in the crotch if I had to. Remember that Facts of Life episode when they taught self defense, because Natalie was attacked?

Kinda, I have to use my keys as a weapon. Fuck where are my keys? Oh, he's gone, and there's an old man and his dog, he'll help me.

3. Damn it's hot. Well, it's not that hot, I'm out of shape. Damn am I out of shape. I can't breathe. How far have I gone?  O Lord, I though I'd gone further. Why is this road so long? When I can I walk? If I go another half mile I can walk. Fine, 5 more minutes, can I make it 5 more minutes? Maybe I need a better song. I need like a 5 minute song. 

4. Hamilton.

I've been listening to a lot of Hamilton. A LOT. I've gotten some odd looks while running on the treadmill and singing / rapping along. I could go on and on about how awesome it is, but you should listen yourself. Our 10 year anniversary is in August and for shits an giggles Kev looked to see how much Hamilton tickets were. Yea, sold out, Stub Hub for $700 apiece. Several years ago, we were in NYC a year and a half after Wicked opened and they were sold out for the next year and a half. Randomly Kev called to see if they had any tickets that night and at first the ticket lady laughed at him, then she saw 2 seats left, that night! He thinks lightening might strike twice, but I doubt it.

5. Tots

Obvs this was pre-Jenny, but morning runs always end with the Whole Foods Breakfast bar and tots. I think about tots constantly when I'm running.

What about you? What do you think about while exercising?

Linking up with Amanda - Meet @ the Barre! AND

Five Thing Friday!

 OMG, I'm so ready for the weekend. Don't get me wrong, it's going to be insane for the next 3 days. Well, wait, the next 7 days. We have events Saturday and Sunday, then next week at work is going to be insane. Let's just say, there will be rainbow sweatbands involved. Draw your own conclusions.

How about I stay true to a 5 thing Friday and talk about 5 thing's I've been digging. 

1. Favorite phrase.

I'm impatient, and I'm annoyed and I think that after 3 weeks of work that all my clothes should fit again. But I know that won't happen, I need to be patient and trust the process. It works. I know it works. But there's a tiny voice inside me that says "what if it doesn't work" what will you do then? But it does work and will work. It worked before and will work again.

2. Fav new find

Sweet heaven, HAVE YOU TRIED THIS??? The entire pint is only 240 calories and IT TASTES LIKE ICE CREAM. Not like that Arctic Zero BS, but real, delicious ice cream. They have it at the Kroger and Whole Foods near me and it's sooooo good. Kev is super happy with the Chocolate and it fits in his low carb diet. Personally, I despise chocolate ice cream. It's gross. give me vanilla any day.

3. Favorite Brunch I make.

That's right, this weekend is the annual choir brunch and I'll be making bunch for 30ish people Sunday. I'm going to try my luck again and make cinnamon rolls. After my success on Christmas morning, I'm going to press my luck and try it again. Wish me luck with the yeast.

4. Favorite part of training.

TOYS! I've said it before, but training is like the mob. Even if you get out, you never really get out. OMG, you were a trainer for 4 years, can you train something? Sure. I can train some sales something. I'm a firm believer that you need something to play with when you're in a class. It helps you think better and the participants figdet less. My interns bought Chinese finger traps, squishy balls and Silly Putty. People fricking love the Silly Putty. 

5. Favorite Running Music?

HAMILTON! I am 120% on the Hamilton bandwagon. It's sooooo good. I've been listening to it at work in the background, but I out it on for my run Saturday and it was perfect! Everything I wanted it to be. Just download it and listen to it. ALL THE TIME.

That's all for me! Wish me luck at my weigh in tomorrow!

Linking up with Amanda - Meet @ the Barre! AND