Black Tie and Boots Inauguration Ball

Daughter Jen and husband Rob~

Rob is from New York City....therefore he needed Boots to wear....and then his Tux pants length needed to be adjusted as boots have an higher heel.

LOL~ He and Jen looked smashing, if I do say so myself.

With a closet full of dresses...nothing would do but a Patriotic Blue Ball dress for Jen.

The event was held at the fabulous Gaylord Hotel at the National Harbor, which sits majestically on the Potomac River~ 12,000 guests attended to enjoy the Black Tie and Boots Inauguration Ball.

We did an overnight to babysit for Jen and Rob~

I did these photos~ and sorry they are not too focused...boo hoo...

They were driving in a stretch limo with 28 other friends...other photos will be posted ...

from the Ball Room via Jennifer's camera.

About midnight, she sent me a telephone photo of Denzel Washington who was among many well known people there...

THEY came home saying it was the largest event they have ever attended~ the entire event was OVER THE TOP~ They were full of news saying how it was PERFECT~

the entertainment, food, and excitement was OVER THE TOP. They reported the press was out in force and people-watching was high on their list of what contributed to a fabulous evening.

Tonight~ another babysitting gig for another daughter going to yet another Ball.

He is a photo of their tickets~

As a Mother, happiness was seeing them so happy.

Dulles Airport Makes Way for Private Jets

Washington is ready for today!
The Public is ready for today!
Everyone, even the Republicans are happy today as everyone wishes BHO the best.
Washington is a party city and boy~ the PARTIES are ROCKIN' all week long.

As of last night, the last roadways into the City are totally closed. People who are not already there in the city are arriving via public transportation or walking across the bridges.

The weather right now is 21 degrees but feels like 9 degrees...but those there are packed in together to share body heat.

Interesting ~ DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT reserved one runway for the last 3 days to accommodate all the private jets flying in. The Inauguration
The rest areas have extra porta potties there to accommodate buses that stop and there are over 50,000 porta potties on the Mall, mostly around the Washington Monument.
The city is electrified. All businesses have come to a stop it seems.
The snow held off, however, the snowploughs are still parked in place, but right now THE SUN SHINES ON THIS EVENT.

We baby-sat overnight to allow one daughter and husband attend one of the Balls last night...
WHAT A THRILL ....they came in about 2 AM just bubbling from all the excitement.
Our beautiful City is wall to wall excitement.

Some Photos from Sint Maarten/ Saint Martin

Yours truly, enjoying the best part ot the day~ Sailing into the sunset...

This in the Catamaran we go out on at Sunset...I sit right on the front on the net... The crew delivers rum punch to everyone~
We motor out into the ocean and then turn the sails into the wind...
I love the silence as we glide through the deep blue waters.
The waters were so wonderful~ not rough and are always warm for swimming.....this photo taken as we are coming in from a fabulous time~

Rarely rains there but many clouds pass over the small island.

This shot is from a cliff overlooking the clear waters...snorkeling is big as is diving.

Blieve it or not, that water is DEEP.

Donnette and June taking a break at an old fort which in on a point overlooking the Caribbeans Ocean.

This time of year, the sun isn't intense~ I never used sun screen.

This little Dove sitting on some ruins didn't more...but she did keep an eye on me.

We were exploring an old fort and and decided it would be a perfect spot for a picnic.

It is so much fun to explore the island...
See the Cruise Ships in the distance?

This shot is from one of the beaches...

Have you seen on the Travel Channels the cables they have on these island that you can strap yourself onto and glide down the mountains?

An awesome experience, do doubt~

This is a photo of the top of one of the highest mountains and at beginning ...

Strapped to a cable, you slide down traveling

though the air as if you are flying ~ when there is a trun, there is a station or platform where you connect to the next cable (rope) and go shooting on down the mountain.

We didn't do it...but NEXT TIME!!! I saw Oprah doing it and from her comment, you need to pad your bottem real well, as there is a sling you are strapped into for the ride. All your weight is on that sling. OUCH!

June

Winter in Virginia

Now after several days of temperatures hanging around zero at night and highs only 20 mid-day, naturally the big lake is frozen and all ponds as well.

I can see the fish swimming under the ice...just hope it is deep enough for them to survive.

The birds crowd the feeders and are so pretty all fluffed to stay warm. Looks like the Hawk is hungry as well and very adapted in catching his prey. He stands for long periods of time blending in with the split-rail fence posts near the feeders but the other bird hide until he is gone. He know3s where they hide in the evergreen tree and at times attempts to go in after a lunch. This morning, I put out extra food for all...except the squirrels.

Decided to take them the left over gravy which I heavily peppered with sunflower, thistle and regular bird seeds. Sort of like suet. Took it out and hung on branches that are too small to support weight of a squirrel.

We are staying close to home and enjoying a warm fire, hot meals, nature watching with hot tea in hand.... and putting the house back together after the ordeal of having wood floors resurfaced. They are beautiful.

KEEP WARM~
Time to share the Sint Maarten Photos~

"Checking the Tires" in Africa

No, this photo circulating on the Internet isn't one from our trip.

It did bring to mind the early morning balloon ride we did over Serengeti when in Tanzania, Africa.

One of the thousands of highlights of our three weeks there was the Ballooning over Serengeti.

...we were up before dawn as that is ideal time for balloons lift off ~

dawn brings the air flows of early morning...

We had coffee...naturally...rode about 40 minutes to the floor of the wild and wonderful Serengeti Valley...still in darkness...got out of the vehicle to find only open terrine...grassy fields.... (of course)
and if we need to "check the tires" (which is what the call it should you have to tinkle while on a Safari).

Well...
Guess who couldn't face a couple of hours in a balloon WITHOUT checking the tires... just thinking I couldn't go made the urge to go even stronger. The only lights out there came from the headlights of the vehicles~ The lights were focuses on the balloons being filled with hot air. Behing us was pitch black. We were the cheese in the rat trap, I thought.

Diane went with me to the edge of darkness at the back tire of our vehicle~

We looked around, peering into the darkness.. .was there something big out there just ready to jump out of the grass?

BUT little did Diane's presence halt the fear~

I tell you, it didn't take long to check that tire, pull up safari pants and run, zipping as we rejoin safty of the group. WHEW!

Afterwards I felt that I had really walked on the edge...but it was worth it to be comfortable.
Africa is something everyone should experience.

I must share more with my own photos later.

June

2009 Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball

What to wear? What to wear?

To attend any one of the Inaugural Balls is to "see and be seen." Dresses are always out of this world as well as the "beautiful people."

Celeb's here and there~being personal and willing to hop in photos with you.

Fun, fun, fun. Totally worth the price of admission.

What is that price of admission?

Tickets are $500 - $1000 each and limos going for $2000 for the 10 hours needed to addend a Ball and of course, are being transported in to accommodate the huge demand.

One of our daughters is attending the Black Tie and Boot Ball while the others will be attending others.

The Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball is a Texas State Society of Washington shindig. The guys wear Tux with black western boots....the ladies, a formal gown.

They will have six stages with entertainment by those you want to see ...entertaining from 7 PM to 2 Am.

All I want is PHOTOS~

What a great time this will be.

Dress Registry Prevents Gown Duplicates at Inaugural Ball

A dress registry website launched on December 1, 2008 called DressRegistry.com, provides women with a platform to upload photos of their special-event gowns in the hopes that they might avoid wearing a duplicate. Over 100 dresses have already been registered for the balls following Barack Obama's presidential inauguration.

This might be fun to check out.

Of course, the designers drawings reflect how we would really look in these dresses, right?

June

Temperatures Plunge ~ Chilly Inauguration Expected

Today in Washington suburbs it is 8 degrees this morning....and our expected high for today is 20.

With the inauguration on the immediate horizon, we have finalized plans. We will stay at home~ TV, hot tea in front of flickering fireplace is more appealing to us.
We've done inaugurations this before and actually wasn't worth the freezing weather for a brief glimpse of the motorcade which is about all we can expect January 20th. We have taken the children down to stand on chunks of snow/ice for hours just wasn't worth the discomfort.

This time, Obama will be in a new ultra secure mobile.
Maybe they will post a photo of him on the window so folks can see him as the glass is reported to be eight inches thick.
If anything, it would be nice if we will have a nice snow as Washington is so beautiful dressed in white.