So then, I kissed Doc (not shown, duh) and then Elli goodbye
I then took a plane to Atlanta, changed, and took the next plane to Washington DC. I got there about 7 PM, and called my friend, who was already there. We promptly left for dinner. Where, you ask?
The Laughing Man Tavern. It was recommended to us by my friend's son, and so it was a deal. I had a martini and sliders - 2 Angus and one pulled pork. Then we went to look at the view of the capitol, which is covered in scaffolding, while they repaint it.
The next day, my conference started. Here's what I wore:
The Donna Morgan dress that I picked up in Santa Barbara. It did not disappoint. with it, I wore the following accessories:
My Kathy Levine black shoes with the faux bamboo heel, and my INC tassel necklace. On my right arm, a leather and crystal bracelet, and a black diamond ring. On my left arm, a stretchy INC bracelet and my diamond/sapphire ring. That night, we went out for a sumptuous and delicious dinner at the Old Ebbitt Grill.
After a round of Manhattans with two other doctors, we had our dinner. I had cioppino:
My friend had the New York strip, and one doctor had the whole Maine lobster.
After that, three of us took a stroll over to the Willard hotel, the first hotel opened by J Willard Marriott, in 1927. It is breathtakingly beautiful, and Benjamin Netanyahu was staying there.
Here is the gorgeous lobby:
It has the cubbyholes where the desk clerk puts the message slips. The flower arrangements were spectacular.
We then cruised around and found a shop with the most adorable purses in the world. Unfortunately, they were also the most expensive purses in the world. so all we did was look.
Then I got all dramatic and posed on the stairs, much to the dismay of the older doctor with us. Oh well.
And this day, October 28th, was my darling Doc's birthday. I left him with a scavenger hunt for his three cards and accompanying monkey videos. We are celebrating properly mid November. But this card I saw in the window of one shop was perfect:
The next day, it was back to the conference for us. At the conference, we had met two cool Texans, Kenny and Scott, and agreed to meet them for cocktails. But I had some time, so I did some sightseeing. I went for a long stroll around the National Mall. First, the US Treasury:
That is a statue of Albert Gallatin standing there. Next, a statue of George Washington, when he was a Lieutenant General.
Almost the whole time, you have a view of the Washington Monument. Here are two of those views:
They are building a new museum called the National Museum of African American Art. It's an upside down trapezoid, covered with the most beautiful bronze scrollwork.
Google it to see the true beauty of this building. Then, I saw the Memorial to the soldiers of World War !:
Then I walked up a side street and passed Constitution Hall, with its magnificent Columns.
Next was the Octagon, which will be an art museum, as soon as they put in new windows.
The Dwight D Eisenhower Executive Office Building is quite something to see. I actually found it a little gothic and creepy.
A very short distance later, you come upon the White House. There were a lot of security present, due to Netanyahu's presence, as well as Ryan being sworn in as Speaker of the House. Mitt Romney stayed at our hotel, the JW Marriott.
Across the way is President's Park. There are a lot of statues there, but the most famous one is of Andrew Jackson.
Another beauty is of Frederick Williams, the Baron Von Fredericksburg, which is a city in Virginia.
Virginia is a stone's throw away from DC.
Across the street, nestled among the glass and steel office buildings, is St John Bonaventure church, all cheery and yellow.
Another statue depicts Tadeusz Kosciusko, a Polish immigrant, who was a fabulous military engineer. I didn't know who he was, but I am not a history buff. :(
The last statue I saw was that of General Lafayette. I really need to study up on my American History, because I have absolutely no idea what his significance is.
Then it was time to meet Kenny and Scott for cocktails. I hurried back to the hotel, passing the Sun Bank Tower on the way.
We met at the Round Robin bar at the Willard. We had drinks, crab cakes and hot pretzels. It was a very pleasant evening, and we chatted with a lawyer/lobbyist, who is involved in solving the California drought situation. Nancy, you were awesome!!!
Then, on Friday, I flew home. I got a glorious welcome from Doc, in the form of lots of kisses and some miniature red roses.
After changing into my usual shorts and T, I kissed my little Elli. Doc said she missed me.
After a while, she had enough of me.
This face just about says it all. This afternoon, we went to a new restaurant in our neighborhood. It's a Mongolian BBQ.
I had the lamb. You get a bowl, fill it with meat and veggies and whatever is on the buffet, and they grill it up and serve it with rice and wontons. One bowl is $6.99, and unlimited bowls are $9.99. I had one bowl, and Doc had unlimited.
Then we took our grandkids their Halloween baskets. Benjamin jumped on his first :
He was only too happy to model his Viking axe.
Little Calista loved her gifts - she was kissing her mice, and wore her bee headband right away.
We asked Joseph to model his Viking outfit:
Blue Steel, Jr. Then the two boys posed together:
Here are Kim, Benjamin, and Calista, all together:
I am going to link to a TON of blogs tonight - I will follow the rules and be a good blogger again next week. I hope you have a great Halloween and get scared out of your wits. See you on Monday!!!
