Here we Are!!

I need to write this down; not so much for others to read but for myself. Those of you that know me, know that my memory is always just a minute away from disappearing from my brain.

Monday - 4:30 am: We woke up (after going to bed at 1:30) to get ourselves loaded and out the door by 5:15 am. Already packed beforehand, so all we needed to do was dress and load the car. Kiss the kids goodbye (and the dogs) and head out.

Arrive at the airport, leave the car and schlep our bags to the counter. We were about an hour early so did the necessary things before we boarded. There was almost no one on our plane to Denver so we could stretch out a bit. We also napped since we were exhausted.

The second leg of our journey took us from Denver to Indianapolis then to Baltimore. The flight was completely full. Stuffed. Crying babies, screaming kids, smelly adults, bouncy plane. The perfect combination for a four hour flight. I read and slept most of the flight.

Arrived in Baltimore with directions from Ben on how to get from the airport to the hotel. Buses, shuttles, trains; we did them all. Met Ben at the hotel and finally ate and then dropped into bed, knowing that we were going to have to get up really early the next morning for the Inauguration.

Tuesday - 4:30 am: Early rise for the Great Day. We knew the crowds were going to be crazy on the trains so we had bought our tickets the night before so we didn't have to worry about that as well. The lines were crazy and there were people everywhere and everyone was wondering where to go and how to get there.

We took the train into DC, with our Blue Tickets safely in my pocket. These were precious tickets; they would get us into the Blue Area which would get us close to the man we were hoping to see - President Obama.

We were the first people on the train since we were the first stop. We had great seats and thought "Hey. This won't be so bad." Spoke too soon. Our train broke down halfway there and we had to get off and wait for another train. The problem is that every train after that was completely full and there was NO room for us. We finally found a little room on one train and squished ourselves onto the car. Standing room only. There was no need to hold onto a rail or seat; there was no way I was falling as tight as the people were packed on the train. It's a good thing I don't suffer from claustrophobia!

We got off the train into the freezing air of DC and started the trek over to the Capitol. Here we were in one of the most historical places in America. It was such a great feeling.

We followed the crowds and Ben's directions. However, we got a little turned around and there were so many streets that were closed due to the day, that we found that we had to walk clear around the Capitol to finally find our Blue Gate entrance. We were so worried that we would be late because they were going to close the gates once President Obama spoke. We were walking as fast as possible and then we finally found the signs to guide us to our gate. Finally!

As we came upon our gate, the bad news began to show. No one was going in very fast. The crowd was HUGE; thousands of people waiting to get in the Blue Gate. I have pics of the crowd and will post them later. We waited for 45 minutes and didn't move anywhere. We found out later that a generator that was powering the metal detectors had broken down and they were left with two detectors which let only one person through at a time.

The crowd was getting quite frustrated and several times started chanting "Let us in! Let us in!" but the guards ignored us. Finally we heard the 21 gun salute and they shut the gates, keeping all us Blue Tickets holders out and leaving a huge open grassy spot with no people in it because we were standing in the freezing weather hoping to hear our new President.

So we started walking around and found a spot outside of our area where we were in sight of the Capitol Building and could hear President Obama speaking. And when we heard him speak and saw the Capitol, we were no longer disappointed. We were in this place and we were still part of the moment and that's what was important. Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Indian, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish - it didn't matter. We were all standing shoulder to shoulder, listening to this man speaking. And we were all smiling at each other and helping each other take pictures of ourselves in front of the Capitol. It was great.

Afterward, we had to find a way out of the city. That's when things got crazy. Everyone ELSE wanted to get out of the city too (or go see the parade) because it was FREEZING cold and we were exhausted. The train stations were completely full; in fact the security (in their infinite wisdom) decided to close all but one station which bogged down the entire train system. So we decided to hang out in a small shopping center and come up with another plan. We were like refugees, all the people, trying to find a place to stay warm until the stations opened up, which wouldn't be until 6:30 pm. It was 2 pm when we found this out. There was no possible way we were waiting until then to find a train.

So Ben came up with a plan to catch a train at a station about 6 blocks away and hopefully, would be open and find a train we could take back into Virginia (where we were staying). Thanks to Ben, it worked and we were able to get out of the city, back to our hotel and get something to eat since we only had a hot dog at 1 pm. We were exhausted, our legs were sooooo tired from walking miles (it seemed) and I was at that moment, so glad I didn't bring the kids because they would have been miserable.

to be continued.................

Kristi Neeleman Goes to Washington (my apologies to Frank Capra)

We're leaving in the morning. 5 am.

Kathie and Bob are staying with the kids until the big kids come home from Utah.

Ben's already there, checking out the scene.

I'm washing and packing and washing and feeding and planning and ...... hoping I don't forget anything.

We're very excited to be a part of this great moment. I'll be able to say that I was there. Everyone should have a chance to say that in their lives about some significant event.

Ta for now.

Only 4 more days!!! President Obama Day!!

I'm so excited and nervous.

I don't know what to wear.

I don't know what to take.

I don't know HOW we're going to get around in that crowd (I'm not great in large gatherings - say anything over five people).

I'm going to miss my kids way bad.

I'm worried about the dogs (they totally freak out when we're gone, even if someone is here).

But -- I'm still so excited about actually being there.

Be careful. What. You. Wish. For.

Okay ...... I'm thinking back last week or so. I was moaning and wailing and gnashing my teeth about the snow and cold.

I was saying (and my kids can repeat it verbatim) that I never missed rain so much before until after this enormous snowstorm that dumped almost 4 feet of snow on our area.

So ..... I'm now regretting what I said.

Highway 9 has closed which is a back road into town. Highway 530 has also closed which is the front way into town. The Stillaguamish River has broken from it's banks in several places and washed over the road.

So to get the kids to school, the buses have to go down farther south to Smokey Point and then back out on the freeway -- and they have been severely delayed.

I made the executive decision to stay home.

Needless to say, they're thrilled.

I do feel so bad for the homes that are in 4 feet of water. I see the fields and barns and homes flooded with so much water and the rain keeps coming and it's 54 degrees outside which means the snow is warming and melting way too fast.

Even our little pond is overflowing and there is a river behind the pigeon coop. My Zen garden pond is reaching the bridge and my garden is a puddle of mud.

Note to self: stop wishing for something else. Just let whatever weather wear itself out.

11 more days to President Obama

I don't know what to wear. I don't know what to bring. I don't know ........ anything.

I just found out that NO bags of any sort can be carried to the Inauguration.

Okay. I understand that. I understand the security thing. But how and where am I going to carry my camera? Wallet? Binoculars? Chapstick? All stuffed in my pockets?

Should I wear a gigantic trench coat with nine pockets? Yeah. That'll look less suspicious.

I realize that this is not an earth shattering problem but it's on my mind.

And what about all the souvenirs I'm buying for all my family? How will I cart those around? The "My Mom/Step mom/Daughter/Sister/Aunt/Niece/Friend/Cousin went to Washington DC to watch the Inauguration of Barack Obama and all I got was this Lousy Tee-Shirt" purchase? How will I carry all those?

Sigh.

Some wonderful things happened in 2008

I didn't get a chance to say Goodbye to 2008. We were too pooped and it was too cold and rainy to do our fireworks or our traditional bonfire (Thank you Mother Nature).




I started going through last year's pics and decided that there were some good and not-so-good things that happened -- but for the most part, it was a good year.



These are NOT in chronological order; I don' t have the patience. Perhaps later this week I'll rework the blog. I really just wanted to get these up tonight.





Enjoy.

We had a White Christmas (like it or not) this year. At least 3 feet of the white stuff fell in two days. But we were able to make a really cool sphinx. Forget the traditional snowman; that's kid stuff for us!!

We made a new garden (we have yet to finish the deer fence)

Robee had a birthday.

We took a road trip from Las Vegas to St. George to Salt Lake and Thomas drink a 72 oz. Monster Energy Drink to keep himself sane.

I got to see NEIL DIAMOND in concert two days before my birthday!!

We watched the Super Bowl (don't even ask me who was playing).

We went to Starbucks after Tae Kwon Do class for hot chocolate and Green Tea Lattes.

Jen had a birthday and got pregnant (not in that order however!)

Owen wished he were 18 so that HE could vote for Barack Obama to help him win (but Obama won anyway! Whoo Hoo!!)

Miss Biss (Alsya) came to visit us in August and we had a great bike ride.

My dear friend Leah graduated from WSU (being snuggled here with my other dear friend Kathleen)

The kids (and Porter) won 1st place in the annual Kiddie Day Parade in Arlington.

My niece (I have three) Heidi married Josh in August!

Felix dressed like Devil Dick Cheney for our party.

Felix had a birthday.

We witnessed the most unusual and peculiar cloud during the Evergreen Fair.

And as usual, we ATE at the Evergreen Fair (ummmmm!!! Best fair food ever!) Diana, Kennedy, and Emilee and family came to visit for Angie's wedding.

The four of us passed our Black Belt test.

My dear 18 year old kitty Zeke finally went to Cat Heaven.

Porter and Abbi on one of their many trips in my car. Where I go, they go.

Felix's pet pigeon, Crocodile also moved on to another life this summer.

Spring! When new baby goats are everywhere.

And there is a quick photog of my 2008.

15 days until Obama will take over!!

Just in case you forgot ----- only 15 more days until Barack Obama will turn this country around from the mess of GEORGE A** BUSH.

17 days and counting to OBAMA

In 17 days, Thomas, Ben and I will be flying to Washington DC for the HISTORIC Inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama.

The kids (Jen, Ang, Em, Ben & spouses) gave this present to us for Christmas. This was a total shock as it was thought that they were going to pay for half of a windmill that Thomas wants in by the pond (which he'll still install regardless).

We are so excited to be part of this wonderful, historic event. We are finally honored to be part of the United States and to be part of a welcome to a great man who will help lead this country out of the mess that Dubya and his cronies have gotten us into.

Our environment is wasting away.

The economy has tanked and many people are losing their homes.

Wages cannot support the cost of food or rent or house payments.

I am so proud of the American people for finally voting in SOMEONE who will actually do SOMETHING of worthwhile for the people; not for himself.