NYC

After visiting with my friend in NJ for a few days,
I took the train into NYC and met my mom and sister. We have a new tradition (2nd year running) of having a mom/daughter weekend as part of my mother's b-day gift. We planned it early this year because I will be gone in the Fall. Anyhoo, we were total tourists - sneakers, cameras - the whole bit - all the way down to our fabulous hotel room with a view of Times Square.

We didn't make it to a show (Wicked was on my wish list, but I didn't have an extra gazillion dollars for a last minute ticket). But we shopped, ate at fun restaurants, and went to dinner one night with two of my cousins who live in NYC. It was great to get caught up.

Ground Zero is basically a huge construction zone, but we were thankful for the small memorial museum that was there. It was like re-living that day all over again. This wall of pictures was the hardest for me. So many people lost...I wanted to look at each one of their faces. I could have stood there for hours. When you see that big empty whole in the ground, its hard to imagine the tremendous buildings that once stood there and the tragic events of that day.

DC Day

When you live so close to a great city, you tend not to appreciate it as much (or visit it as much) as you could - - but once you have been away, you bappreciate it more. So my first weekend home I just had to spend the day downtown....

We went to an exhibit called "Bodies". It was so cool. They were all real human bodies - the organs, muscles and tissues preserved by some kind of polymer treatment. It was fascinating to see God's handiwork up close. I was reminded of Psalm 139...we are fearfully and wonderfully made. I don't know how anyone could go through that whole exhibit and still question the existence of God. Amazing. (The only thing that kind of creeped me out was the display of the complete [empty] skin of a human!)

One of my favorite "people-watching" spots is on the river in Georgetown. It was such a beautiful day, we sat outside and enjoyed the view - shoppers, boaters, etc...that's the Kennedy Center in the background...

Later that night my friend Christie treated me to a new restaurant she likes - one of her favorite chefs. (I'd tell you the name if I remembered!) But it was great food, and a wonderful end to a wonderful day.

Ahhh...Virginia

Green grass, rolling hills....what's not to like? We have the mountains the ocean, and all four seasons. Can you tell I am glad to be back? :)

I had a wonderful 4th of July, spent at a place called Great Meadow, which is just west of the suburban madness I like to call home.

The all-day event was complete with an air show, polo match, live music and of course, a fireworks display. It was great to spend the day with, Christie, one of my closest friends, and her family (who were gracious enough to include me in their family event). I was completely spoiled, as they had reserved a special rail-side spot where we could set up a tent and have our own picnic area. What fun!

Check my photo album for more pics! Happy 4th everyone!

SC Summer Storm

Sara and I had the pleasure of watching an

amazing lightning storm - from lawn chairs in

my driveway on one of my last few nights in SC. It was quite a show! Unfortunately, the pictures just don't capture it....but this one turned out pretty good - thanks to Sara's perseverance!