Family & More

We got settled into our new home (Mikey really likes laying in the leaves!) and the next day met with volunteer coordinator Ranger Kevin for our orientation. Rich and Kay, the other set of hosts, would be going through the daily routine with us over the next couple of days, and then after two days off, we’d be on our own. Our schedule is 4 days on and then off 4 days until right after Christmas, at which time Rich and Kay will leave, and we’re on our own for the rest of our time at Greenbelt. At that point we’ll be on 5 days with 2 days off during the week. The job is fairly easy and still affords us time to see the sights and visit family.

One thing we’ve never done when in DC is a tour of the White House (http://www.whitehouse.gov/), and so several months before arriving at Greenbelt, I contacted our senator in FL to request a tour (all requests must be submitted through one of your congressional members). Even though we gave a 4 month window for which to schedule, we received confirmation for 12 noon on Nov. 5 (right after we arrived!) and hoped this was going to be ok with Kevin since when we received confirmation we didn’t know our schedule. All worked out perfectly, and we were excited about this opportunity to visit “the people’s house”.

Tours are free of charge and self-guided, and most items are prohibited including cameras and purses. (Photo above was taken on a previous DC trip.) Only 8 rooms and 3 halls are open to the viewing public, but 3 of those rooms are roped off allowing you to only peer in the doorway. It was kind of cool though to walk through the East Room and the State Dining Room, places you’ve seen on TV during receptions, ceremonies, funerals, and the like. There are many original historical items scattered throughout the rooms such as Dolly Madison’s French candlesticks and James Monroe’s parlor chairs as well as many portraits of the Presidents and First Ladies. Secret Service agents are stationed in each room not only for security purposes but to answer questions, and they are very knowledgeable. In the Entrance Hall just before exiting the building was a very unique grand piano that is decorated with folk dancing scenes and large gilt American Eagle supports. According to the agent, it was presented by the Steinway Co. in 1938 to commemorate the production of Steinway’s 300,000th piano (photo compliments of Steinway.com) and has been used by performers like Elton John during White House performances.

It took us only about 45 minutes to complete the tour, and we were a little disappointed. Of course we did not expect to see the First Family, but we had expected to see a little more than we did. However, with this tour of the White House, we still got to do and see something most Americans don’t.

Shortly after arriving in MD, we learned that our good friends Paul and Anne, who we thought were already on their way to FL, were actually still at their son’s in MD only an hour away. We made plans to meet at a Ruby Tuesday’s located about halfway between for an early dinner the following week. By planning it for about 3pm we figured the place wouldn’t be busy and we’d have time for a nice leisurely visit, which we did. We neglected to take a photo so this one from last year will have to suffice.

One of the nice things about being in this area is that our sisters are only a few hours away so plans for a couple visits were definitely in the works. A couple weeks after our arrival, I made a trip north to see my sister in Rehoboth Beach, DE, for a couple of days. This was a more laid back visit than in previous years, and we had a good time just hanging out and chatting though we did fit in a little shopping. I prepared my famous homemade lasagna one night for the 3 of us, and we ordered pizza another night (hmmmm…was there an Italian theme here?) Though our visits are always brief, we still enjoy our time together, and we’re both excited that I’ll be heading up there in Feb. to help her celebrate her 50th birthday!

The following week was Thanksgiving, and as it so happened we were off duty, and made plans to visit Russ’ sister in NJ for the holiday. This was the first time we were going without the RV and spending the night in their house in years. Besides their two Scottish terriers, their daughter’s dog, Zena, now lives with them, too. She’s a 135 lb. Rottweiler and such a big baby! In fact she sometimes thinks she’s a lap dog as you can see in this photo of her on Bill’s lap. After the initial getting-to-know-you barks and sniffs, the dogs got along great, and Mikey and Abby loved having free rein of the backyard with no leashes.

There are 2 new grandbabies, and I was excited about getting to meet them. Kristi and Hector came by with 4 month old Alexander our first night, and Maggie and Billy came by the next morning for breakfast with their latest addition, 7 month old Ryan. Maggie and Billy were spending Thanksgiving dinner with her family, but we all made sure to get pictures of Ryan with his big brothers before they left. (Below right L-R: Josh, Ryan, and Will)




Kristi, Hector, and Alexander joined us for dinner, and Terri had made enough food to feed an army! Taylor and Boo (Matthew) stopped by in time for dessert, and it was nice to see them, too, if even only briefly. Though this visit with the Johnson family was also short, it was nice to relax with family and we're looking forward to another visit before we leave the area.