Thoughts in a crummy weather week.

The first day of my maternity leave was technically a school closure day - it began with a walloping of ice very early this morning followed by heavy snow. 

And that ice remains covered by inches of snow out there resulting in a second day of school closures...it's so weird to not be working but not yet kept busy with a small human being; I totally have my feet in both worlds.

In other news...

1. I've loved pregnancy. I'll say it proudly and with the almost certain prescience that any further pregnancies will probably be riddled with weeks of morning sickness and other ills of the condition but for now, I'm really trying to savor my last days. I was never sick, never too achy, and the worst has just been from being on my feet and driving for two hours a day. I've been mentally conjuring up a list of things I'll miss about these three trimesters that I'll try to get down in the coming days.

2. Speaking of being in the car, I'm DONE with my horrid commute. This drive has made me kind of an angry person and I really don't like that. I've also come to resent Washington, DC, and parts of Maryland for the sheer facts that there are so many people here {& on the roads} and the roads are bad and people are crazy drivers...you get the picture. We will be moving somewhere in Maryland this summer {which will cut this drive in half, thankfully} so that when I'm back at work, things will be better, driving-wise.

3. Michael and I took advantage of today's sequestration and started that last part of Breaking Bad's final season. The poor husband of mine is actually pretty sick so we'll most likely continue down this binge-Netflixing road tomorrow. And it's good; it had been so long since we've gotten into a TV drama and been able to race through the episodes in what I feel is kind of a soul-less manner. Soul-less but really enjoyable.

4. Hopefully said husband is over the worst of what he has so that he can be healthy when we have our first child. Which could happen any day now. Which is so weird, it totally won't sink in until we bring her home, I suppose.

5. Related to our first born's pending arrival, Michael's parents are coming next week to visit and meet her {she's got one week to get here before they do!}; we've been so excited about their visit and then my dad and step-mom's visit the following weekend and looking forward to it all and now the time's coming rather quickly!

How are you doing this first week of March Reader? Sniced {snow + ice} in like we are? Be well!!
xoxo, natty ♥

Girls!!!

I had SUCH an amazing weekend with Becs and Ellie - thank you two so very much for giving up Valentine's Day with your hubbies and spending it with me and mine; it means so much to us that you joined us here in DC for a sugar fueled weekend celebrating being friends as well as our on-her-way little girl.

This morning included a White House tour {thank you to our intrepid tour guide}, a bagel brunch, some talking about how we were still coming off of our sugar rushes thanks to yesterday's candy-filled baby shower, and just enjoying each other's company.

These dear friends are so valuable to my heart and soul; it was refreshing and heartening to be with them and our daughter is one lucky fetus to be able to count them as her honorary aunties.

Have a great work week y'all.
xoxo, natty ♥

84.

We went bowling tonight in the basement of the Old Executive Building which is the behemoth Victorian next to the White House {woot woot for the hook-up}.

I didn't bowl my worst.

Blurry so I'll keep it small.

Nor my best.

Note the toe past the line.

But we did have a great time.

Now onto the week...and on Friday I get to see two very special ladies; I pretty much can't wait!!!!
xoxo, natty ♥ 

Monumental.

To continue educating my friend about where we live, we headed down to the monuments today. It wasn't that cold, in the 50s I think, and the sun felt nice when it wasn't playing chase with the clouds.

I didn't take any pictures mostly because I feel so bulky these days and getting out my phone is just, eh.

But! We saw some great things...a start at the Washington Monument took us over to the World War II memorial, followed by a walk around the tidal basin to get to the FDR memorial. Then we checked out the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, which I always love. Our next stop was the Korean War Memorial, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, and finally the Vietnam War Memorial.

That seems like a lot!! I guess it's ok that I was totally pooped afterwards? It's always nice to get down and enjoy the history and meaningfulness that's all around us.

And now, on to the workweek; I wish us all luck!!
xoxo, natty ♥

Yankee Swap.

Last night we had some friends over for a Yankee Swap {a.k.a. White Elephant, a.k.a. many other names I'm sure}. Our rule was that you had to bring a re-gifted gift or something worth $5 {or less} and I'll let you Goog-le the rest of the guidelines if you're so curious.

I, the pregnant woman, ended up with this.

My husband snagged this.

And this morning we woke up to this.

I decided that the tree lights had to go on and a picture had to be taken.

We didn't do anything for the holidays here last year so I'm very glad to have this little tree {he lives on a table} and it didn't get wintry like this outside until some time in January {late January I think?} so it's doubly nice to have a Christmas tree AND some snow.

But it never sticks - today it's supposed to turn into "freezing rain" {everyone's favorite thing}. I think if we were only about 25 miles further north we'd get a lot more snow than we do. As it is, it might snow but it doesn't stick. There can be big snowstorms here but I think this snow-then-melt business is what it's like, or at least what it was for us last year.

Anyway, we're warm inside, reading the paper {online, womp womp} and enjoying a great weekend. 

I hope you're warm too! 
xoxo, natty ♥

Soogie.

My dad and I had a wonderful time today while we explored Baltimore.

And numbers 1 through 5 could be all about how much I loved Soogie.

1. I ♥ Soogie! We visited the Historic Ships of Baltimore maritime museum {really coo and well worth admissionl!} in Baltimore's harbor and on on of the old ships {and old lightship to be exact [a lighthouse on a ship]} there was a mini exhibit on dogs in the Navy/Coast Guard and on U.S. ships. We learned briefly about Soogie's illustrious career and then on the last ship of the museum tour {a huge Coast Guard ship that had been near Pearl Harbor [amongst many things]} there was an interactive aspect where one is able to follow the paw prints on the ground to find Soogie's favorite parts of the ship. In each favorite spot there was a stamp. I missed the first two stamps but thoroughly enjoyed learning about Soogie.

2. The day was beautiful and my dad were so happy to be romping around together.

3. The whole weekend with my pops was a success; yea!!!

4. We had crabcakes at the Lexington Market in Baltimore; yum!

5. We also enjoyed a delicious soul food-inspired dinner at Eatonville.

All in all, this was a truly marvelous day and I'm grateful for my dad's time here with us.

Here's to his safe return to California tomorrow. 
xoxo, natty ♥

A new museum.

With the shutdown we had to get creative with our DC exploring for my dad's visit. There are many museums that aren't nationally funded {= you have to pay} so we chose one that wasn't too pricey and seemed interesting to us {my dad loves photography}; the National Geographic Museum. 

And? It was a great find! For $11 each we got meander around three main exhibits. I kind of loved that we were able to see the whole museum. I love the Smithsonians because you don't need to worry about packing it all in since they're free and most pay museums are too large/expansive to cover in one visit. 

We most enjoyed the main exhibit which focuses on photography by women photo-journalists. This was the greatest because it covered a large variety of topics and there were explanations/back stories for each photo. 

Then we checked out the "Lions, Tigers, and Bears" exhibit which was awesome because it wasn't too big and the pictures were amazing; I loved seeing a spirit bear!

The last part we checked out was an exhibit on the history of the National Geographic. This was cool because it had a ton of different topics covered in not too much detail so it was manageable.

We actually started out the day exploring the Georgetown neighborhood and after the museum we enjoyed dinner at Ben's Chili Bowl.

All in all, it was a great day and I'm sad my dad's leaving soon but we at least get one whole day tomorrow in Baltimore tomorrow!!!
xoxo, natty ♥

It's been like this.

My dad and I had a great day romping around the monuments today; shutdown be darned. 

And even though we had a nice rain-free afternoon, it's been raining on and off here for three days.

And I'm still not tired of it. The rain can be so pretty. I'm shocked to find myself saying that but after a long and muggy summer, this initial storm is lovely. 

Plus it doesn't hurt that the temperatures have remained mild and we've enjoyed a really nice and cozy evening in with taco and movie night.

Have a good rest of your weekend folks!
xoxo, natty ♥

What to do in a shutdown.

I have some GREAT news:

My dad is coming to visit us this weekend!!!!

On the water in San Francisco...we're gonna try to recreate the scene on this other coast.

And the bad news is that the government is still shut down and none of our visitor stand-bys are available.

So we're finding some alternatives {Baltimore! The Spy Museum!}...any thoughts out there?

The weather gods are also throwing some a lot of rain at us but we're intrepid and so so so excited about the next few days.

Here's to some non-government reliant enjoyment!
xoxo, natty ♥

Vocabulario.

I'm teaching new vocabulary this week...¡muchas palabras nuevas!

Sometimes when I leave for the day I notice that I'm thinking in Spanish. It's not that I'm having conversations in the language all day long but I am saying as much as I can and that's a lot of "very nice"es, etc.. I'll then find myself telling the cars that are making the commute move smoothly <<muy bien>>.

Anyway...

1. Yesterday's excursion was fun and I'm still thinking about being outside in fresh air.

2. The heat broke today and it POURED. With wind and dark, ominous skies. It was beautiful.

3. I think some pumpkin macaroni and cheese is on the agenda this week?

4. And maybe some pumpkin bars/cupcakes/muffins? I've been meaning to get at this for several weeks now and in our fridge there lays a hunk of cream cheese waiting to turn into frosting.

5. This is a hopeful post. My pops is coming to visit us THIS WEEKEND!!!! But let's hope our government gets its act together and opens up stuff; he really wants to go to the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum. 

Sad words in red.

Here's to hoping.

What's benefiting your life this week friends?
xoxo, natty ♥

RFK.

Tonight we went to the Washington Redskins old stadium to watch DC United play soccer against Toronto.

I loved the feel of the old stadium and thinking about all the yards run there in years past; maybe I'm getting excited for football season to start? Maybe I'm looking forward to fall? I never really have anticipated this season; maybe because I'd never really experienced a legitimate summer?

Or maybe it's just time to stop asking questions and get on with my evening!

Happy Saturday.

xoxo, natty ❤

Puffy eyes.

I'm predicting that I'll awake with swollen orbs in my face tomorrow. After a long and full week at school, tonight was the back-to-school BBQ, though in true Maryland fashion, it was a massive Old Bay seasoned crab boil. Someone on faculty actually drove out to the eastern shore of Maryland and purchased bushel after bushel for the feast. 

We malleted and picked out crab and had a grand old time.
 
And it was delicious.

But Old Bay, delectable as it is, contains a bunch of sodium and I do not look pretty the morning after a salt binge.

Oh well, it was worth it.

Also, it was weird and a bit sad to not be at my old school's back-to-school BBQ. I missed and miss all those dear faces and places so much but I am truly grateful to be in a large and welcoming community of teachers and learners, all the way out in The Free State.
xoxo, natty ♥

Hoping and hoping.

We think we may have kicked the flies; us for the win!

In other Tuesday news, it's been sultry out and that hasn't encouraged any running. Maybe I'll spring for a short one tonight but I might just hold out for the cooler weather that's being promised for tomorrow.

But currently I'm relishing some ac-cooled couch time.
xoxo, natty ♥

Mountain air.

I'm a day into our Tahoe time and really enjoying it. Oh but I do really wish my dear old husband were here with us but he's holding down the fort in DC; thanks so much sweetie but it'd be nicer with you here.

Let's look at niceties then, shall we? We shall!

1. Humidity trumps altitude. Though I'm getting winded going up stairs or walking up a hill {like I always do at this elevation}, this morning's run made me feel like I was in the best shape of my life.

That's hyperbolic but temperatures in the high 60s and seemingly zero humidity really make a huge difference compared to what DC's summer has to offer {wet rags continuously slung at me}.

2. After my run...

The focus is on the lake.

an uncle made blueberry pancakes!

3. We made a run to the Tahoe City thrift shop, one of the best I've ever, ever, ever been to. I snagged an old Mexican embroidered blouse and some cheap books.

4. I got in the water today. I took the slow walking immersion approach. I can't decide if that or jumping in is easier. I can safely say that neither way is comfortable but I do like to get myself in once a day when I'm up here.

5. My pops is driving up tomorrow! This is going to be one full house!

What's good about your week? Has weather cooled down the way it did in DC? Are you getting in some mileage too? Have a happy week wherever you are.

xoxo, natty ❤

A neat show.

We enjoyed Janis Joplin tonight.

Tomorrow: off to California!

xoxo, natty ❤

Good start to a weekend.

We're having a great time with Mike's parents in DC. They've been here since Wednesday and good times {&food!} have been had all around.

I set out for a quick run this morning in the beautiful Meridian Hill Park before meeting everyone at a coffee shop for some breakfast.

A visit to the National Archives and a jazzy picnic later, we're a fulfilled bunch.

Have a lovely weekend!

xoxo, natty ❤

Here a year.

A year ago today we rolled into town. DC hasn't been the same since.

Woah that went quickly!

Here's to another 365 of taxation without representation {except for Mike since he's still licensed and registered in California}!

xoxo, natty ❤

Done did me in.

Mike and I headed out for five miles this morning; we signed up for the Philadelphia Marathon on November 17th and some serious miles should be starting for us soon.

But the heat and humidity. I wax poetic all the time about how much I enjoy warm weather and it's true but I don't think I'm cut out for enjoying my hot runs.

I'd mentioned a while ago how running through this mucky weather feels like heavy, hot, and wet towels being repeatedly slapped at me. It still feels that way.

We got in our run though and enjoyed some cool drinks on our way home. Where I was taken down for the rest of the day; I can do the run but I am just pooped afterwards!! 

Nevertheless, a nap and some tuna melts later {plus a reviving shower} and I'm ready to face the Monday ahead of me.

I hope that your weekend was restorative and enjoyable Dear Reader!

xoxo, natty ❤

Seven.

It's been a good weekend for us after yesterday's arboretum jaunt and some hours spent lazing around.

And then, today, Mike and I got in a seven mile run together.

In the mid-afternoon heat and humidity {we had planned to go this morning but it was pouring} we toiled but then rewarded ourselves at the end with strawberry/lemonade spritzers {just add club soda and it becomes a spritzer}.

Nothing had ever tasted so good.

In other news, yesterday morning we put our dear heart Fence into her car and bid her adieu. She spent a wonderful and rejuvenating two days with us and I'm so thrilled she did; thanks for making it down here!!!

Here comes another week, this one replete with a projected heat wave, hopefully a trip to our CSA's farm, some running, and preparation for the following week's trip to Iceland.

I hope that you've had an enjoyable and summery {and Super Moon-ful} weekend and that you're feeling ready to tackle the next five days.

xoxo, natty ♥

Flashes of light!

Last night I saw my first lightening bug of 2013 and tonight I saw many more.
I hadn't known these things happen around here!!!
What a lovely realization.
It's also been a really lazy Saturday and that's totally alright.
xoxo, natty ♥