While I was in DC, I wasn't in "stealth" mode this go 'round and was able to visit many friends and family members. I can never visit everyone and that's always the difficulty when you live far away but I've learned over the years that I also can't stretch myself thin trying to accommodate everyone or feel guilty by not succeeding - because it'll never happen, so why bother. I'm only one person and although pretty darn super if I say so myself, I am not Superwoman.
This time I got a chance to spend some QT with my one and only goddaughter. Iyanna and I had a day of pampering at a kids spa in Bowie, MD. We've had a difficult time bonding as I moved when she was much younger, and summer visits, and occasional gifts just don't make up for true time together. So, after a couple of our other plans fell through, I finally got her overnight and truly babied and spoiled her rotten. She's the little girl I always wanted but was never blessed with biologically.
Yanna & I brush our teeth - yeah I have on a onsie!
There isn't a birthday of holiday that goes by that I don't go beyond out of control with stuff for her. Shopping for a little girl outdoes that of little boys by far, raising two boys has robbed me of this experience and I just go crazy and splurge on her whenever I can. But I think if I were local it'd be more quality instead of quantity.
Yanna and I were both treated to a mani & pedi, facial, and make-up for $95 - the "mommy and me" package! It was truly, to die! First, the decor was delightful all shades of purples and the chairs were giant cell phones and cupcakes. The music was of "kid-bop" origin and the entire staff was teen girls, how cute! So for little ones, it was like getting your nails done by a big sister - the only adults were the hairstylists and the receptionist. We were given terrycloth robes embossed with colorful details and escorted to the pedicure area. I allowed Yanna free reign to choose our colors, and boy did she! LOL
One of three colors she chose
While having our pedicures we were served fruit punch from colorful yet plastic "grown-up" glasses and had our choice of snack (Ritz bits, Oreo cookies, or gummy bears) served from a silver platter. We were really being pampered - I don't get this type of service when I get my regular pedicure! Now, as I said it's teen manicurists and specifically for kids so don't expect a pumice to be pulled out or nippers to get ingrown nails, but they do cut down nails, file, buff, massage, polish, and design wonderfully. You have to remember this is for children - so they generally have soft feet unlike some adults! LOL
Yanna in the foot soak
Yanna & I sipping on our fruit juice
Big Toes (mine)
Little Toes (hers)
Afterwards we were led to the manicure tables of which Yanna picked another three colors for our fingers! By this time she was into everything, she even suggested that she needed a massage because her back was sore (of course this made me laugh hysterically) as one, "her back was sore?" From what? Carrying her backpack. And two, she had confused the dressing room partitions for a massage room, they actually hold fashion shows for little ones who have their b-day parties there - after being pampered they get to play dress-up, walk the runway, and then have a photo shoot! How cute is that? Ikr - I'm gonna see if her mom will allow her next b-day to be hosted there.
Yanna getting her mani
Lastly, we received a facial. You know your skin gets loose and you need to keep it taunt and while also keeping those bags under your eyes away. So we got yogurt face masks and cucumber eye treatments (of which we nibbled at while the treatment ran its course). LOL I opted not to have the face as I just placed tinted moisturizer on that morning (I really need some sun) but, that didn't stop me from partaking in the rest of the treatment. Yanna, opted for a makeup application of her own afterwards and after seeing all of her color choices I decided to allow her to be the "beautiful one" all by herself this time around! HA HA HA
Just relaxing
All made up
It was a great day, I ended up getting a few pics printed out and creating a framed collage for "My Yanna" to hang in her room to always remember our special day. We tend to keep so many pics electronically that no one has the ability to hold an image in their hands without a mini-computer.
I'll treasure the day always also. I only wish we were closer and could have many more opportunities to spend quality time together.
I planned and attended The Second Inauguration of President Barack Obama just as I had four years prior in 2009. This year however the forecast predicted weather at least 20 degrees warmer in the nation's capital and crowd in the hundred-thousands instead of millions - so we opted to leave Ebby's 9am instead of 5! We gathered the crew of last year's able participants and headed down to the National Mall (most people from the city consider this act foolish and watch it from their televisions right along with the rest of the viewing world) - but alas, we again opt for the adventure, and boy did we get it.
Ebby & I in Metro at 2009 inauguration
This year we took the boys (Davaughn, London, and Garrett) as they are teenagers and should be able to fully receive/interpret the symbolism of the moment. Well, the first contrast noticed between this year's inaugural festivities and the priors was that the closest exit on the subway to the grounds was L'Enfant Plaza! All other stations were closed off as a crowd control measure (this was truly surprising as the crowds were said to be much smaller). Last year we exited at the Smithsonian exit and merely walked across the National Mall to our designated spot on the grass where we felt we had optimal viewing. Now, that since this discovery, we were pushed further from our destination (but only if we knew how far). The atmosphere remained was electric and the actual inauguration speeches weren't slated to begin until 10:30 or 11am, so I used the opportunity on the train as a time to teach my son and nephews a lesson on chivalry and had them offer their seats to older ladies who suspiciously took them, but obviously had never experienced such a thing on the crowded DC Metro by a young man in skinny jeans...lol
DMV - Metro Map - What a difference one stop makes!
The exit of the Metro was "interesting" (an escalator was broken, typical Metro) and an presidential impersonator was causing a stir with photo ops. We literally stood on the platform for another 20- minutes simply attempting to exit the underground station. We had to hold onto each other to stay together. It would have been beneficial at this time to have color coordinated hats like many groups opted (I held Gar closely). The view upon exiting the subway was euphoric and historic, once again!
President Obama look-alike in center
View upon exiting the Metro
But then, it was put aside as we were herded down barricaded paths in the wrong direction! We could clearly see where we wanted to go (it was directly in from of us - The National Mall grounds) The Capitol Building immediately to the right, but that it not the direction to which we were being funneled. We were being pushed to the left in the completely opposite direction!!!! We were being pushed towards the Washington Monument, closer and closer it appeared and as we looked back we could only catch a glimpse of The Capitol Building. We could not cut across due to the barricades of steel and tunnels that guided us, we were literally cattle, not even being allowed to stop and graze for fear of being trampled. People were growing angry, disgruntled, you could feel the mood shifting from one of excitement to frustration and ambivalence. We had no idea where we would be let out on The National Mall or when, if ever this endless walk would stop - it finally did after about another 45 minutes (not kidding - 45 minutes). We were able to make a left, finally! We entered The Mall, only to be bombarded with the propaganda of the day - fliers, pins, cups, pendants, even Obama condoms! They had everything. I planned on buying things for my friends back home, but I surely didnt plan on carrying things all day - so this aspect f the day ould have to wait.
We were truly far from our designated area - about twice the distance further back than 2009, we were just about to be relegated to acceptance when the crowd then again shifted, You cant be serious! It was moving again!!!We began walking now towards The Capitol Building, down through the grass of The Mall this time (crowd control) I said to myself after I few choice words to others after Garr got separated and was unable to get his way back to me and pleading desperately with his eyes (he can be so shy at times, I have to remember he's only 13) - I could see him, but he couldn't see me- and grown behind adults through my pleads were not being moved by "friendly tones"(I guess my newly adopted Southern home was not working in my favor) - I had to take it back to my Northern origin to get my point across - all was eventually remedied and I had my Garr by my side.
Me & My Garr
Not too bad, for our pilgrimage...
Crowd Control...It took us twice as long to get out of the area and even longer to get home to due to a subway train breakdown and several other closed stations. Ultimately, the last go around, with less "crowd control" the situation moved much smoother and we got home smoother when we had to walk the highway (I-395 which they closed) to get home, it stayed open this go around. I literally considered walking it this time!
"Crowd control" ruined some of the events significance for me. I was spent by the time we carved out an area for ourselves and finally realized we had no essentials: water, chairs, blankets. We had none of that last time but we had not exerted all of our energy either. Food and drink was to my right (a mere 20-feet away), so was a toilet facilities - but I wasn't in the mood. I just needed to hear the President speak and go home. I had enough already.
"Crowd Control" - in the form of "snipers" (just imagine the ones we couldn't see)
And then the cold hit, I didn't feel it at first...but it came. It started with my hands and I had no gloves or pockets, then my feet. It literary felt as if I didn't have on shoes or socks. I borrowed gloves from Janelle (Praise Jesus) and began moving around. I'm in it now, Lets get this thing going - at that moment it was truly decided. That although I was in my hometown, I was never to live permanently in the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) again - I need temperatures that do not dip below 50 degrees in daytime hours.
Janelle, Garr (hiding by Nell), Ebby, Davaughn, Me, and London
Ebby & I
Garr & I
And through all of that, although in my opinion, the events of the day did not capture the sense of euphoria of the first time around. When the President appeared, it was all worth while; the crowd erupted!!!
President Obama
Former President Carter
President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama (behind him) and Malia (to his right)
It's been a while huh?
Well let me close out 2012 before entering 2013. The Christmas holiday was wonderful, even though we had to head to the local Lowes for a "fresh" tree as there are no "pop-up" tree lots straddling the corners of parking lots, abandoned storefronts, and malls - as you'd find up North. It was pretty surprising as we pretty much live in a dang forest (well a swamp) but nonetheless - Santa came for Rah and he prepared for the night by baking Santa cookies (oatmeal raisin, Santa's favorite) and a mixture of Reindeer food for his noble steed, you can't forget the reindeer, ya know.
Rah baking cookies
The finished product
Rah preparing reindeer food
Night flash photography on Christmas Eve
He even sprinkled the mixture outside (well more like poured it all in one big clump) so that the reindeer wouldn't come into the house and trample all over the furniture! LOL. We decorated the tree with Mardi Gras beads keeping true to our adopted hometown and it all went off without a hitch. Rah really enjoyed his holiday - and the grown-ups had a pretty good time too! But I must say, cabin fever set in pretty quick and we were all ready to get out of the house and get away by the time the New Year rolled around (some more than others).
Christmas Morning
And to top it all off he wanted a "monster truck with a remote controller". Well, the one I saw back in Oct./Nov. that looked as if it were big enough for him to ride, could no longer be found so I completely gave up. There were others similar but not as big and since we'd already outdone ourselves - and Rah was straddling the "Naughty List" (scratch that ON the "naughty list) I simply wasnt getting him one. But, Mrs. Smith bought him one anyway. Check out the video...
So there you have it, my almost 3 month late Swann Family Christmas Blog!
