back to the grind tomorrow

This entry is going to be a little scatterbrained. I downloaded a bunch of pictures from my phone and I have a comment about each to give people an idea of what has been going on with me. Also because I'm sick... again. 

First, I'm about 90% done with organizing and decorating the new house. About twice a day I'll tell Potato "I just want it to be done." Yesterday I cleaned the bathroom and kitchen and started organizing the bedrooms. I noticed while going through the rooms that Potato and I don't really have a set style. The things that we have a pretty eclectic because almost everything we own are hand-me-downs. Even the paint I used in the living and dining room was leftover from Potato's parents house. It'll be nice when someday we'll be able to establish our own style like the Birdos or JoMaura. 

This photo is of the shelf above the TV. While I like the way it is organized the pieces don't really go together and I'm very aware of it.  

This is Mom's drawing of Justin Bieber on the drawsomething app. She has gotten so good. I want her to take a drawing class. I think she'd really love it. 

These next pictures are from the D.C. trip. It was honestly one of the best vacations I've ever been on. It was really nice to have so many members of my family all together in a new city (at least a new city to me). Everybody kinda did their own thing and hung out when they felt like it. Potato and I had Moose as a travel companion for the most part. We did sneak away for a few hours to check out the National Mall. We stopped to appreciate Lincoln, WWII, Korean War, and the Vietnam War Memorials. The Vietnam Memorial was one of the most sobering things I've ever seen. It's something that everybody should see and take their time with. Seeing the names, your own reflection in the wall, and seeing other people point out their loved ones was very moving. 

Every time I see a statue of Lincoln I think of Moose - So I made him sit by him.

Cocktail hour at the hotel - the boys in red, white, and blue. 

The last stop on an epic an long day. MB and I sat on barrels of hay and yelled at people (which I hope we continue to do into our senior years). 

The next morning we headed to the "Erin's Face Museum." Joeby turned 1 billion minutes old. It was a great moment and I was happy to share it with him. 

Look closely at who the letter from Edward Weston is addressed to. 

Bearzors

More Bearzors 

Uncle Jerry's illuminated centerpieces. They looked awesome. 

Potato and I got to the airport with the Birdos and had an hour or two to kill. So, we played draw together. I drew this one knowing that if anybody were to get it would be Potatohead. He got it within seconds. It reaffirmed my love for him.  

On the flight home I got the window seat. I have trouble expressing how much I enjoy having the window seat. Flying is amazing. There is something so special about being able to be transported by flight that I hope I never take for granted. The views are breathtaking and are constantly changing. I get upset by people that sit in the window seat and pull their window down. How do they not appreciate what is going on beyond the glass? I don't care if you fly everyday. As long as the sun isn't blinding you, you should have the window up and you should be staring into space with an open jaw. 

For whatever reason, this flight had me in a reflective mood. Now that I've finally realized that I'm going to be here for a while I've started to set goals for myself. I decided that I wanted to appreciate and celebrate my surroundings and strive to better myself.

Even Gary, IN (I've been known to call it Mordor) looks beautiful from this high up. 

Every time Potato and I have made the drive from EL to Chicago this Summer we've seen these "wings" on the highway. The first time I saw one I said that it was a once in a lifetime type of thing mostly because Potato missed it. However, we saw 3 more on the trip alone and have seen at least one every other drive we've taken. I think that they are the sails on a windmill... but I'm not 100% sure. Either way they're massive and quite the sight to see. 

This picture I'm throwing in because it was my only option in draw with mom. I was embarrassed to draw it but I think it came out nicely.

One last thing, Sparky and Matty Boy are engaged! I couldn't be more happy for them!!!