Catching Up

Hello, friends.  Sorry I have been slow to catch up on my blogging.  I have Memorial Day pics.  Standby.  I wanted to post on Tuesday but when I logged on to do so, I saw that Typepad has some new way of doing things and then after a 12 hour work day, I just wasn't up for it.

So, that's my excuse.  Hope they're worth waiting for.

 First, I have to say SOMETHING about this new Scott McClellan book that's coming out.  I, along with a lot of other people in Washington (not that I'm some huge insider or anything) am SHOCKED.  It's so scandalous!  And yesterday with all of the non-stop buzz, I thought I was getting overexposed and I was over it - but now that I'm at work - I'm way into it again.  Can't wait to see the Today Show interview with McClellan today, I hope somebody gets Tony Snow's take on it, and I can't wait to read the book myself!

Speaking of the Today, and all things network news - did y'all see the "Big 3" appearing on all the network news morning shows yesterday?  Katie, Brian and Charlie - all together!  They were on CBS at 7:30, NBC at 8:00 and GMA at 8:30.  GMA's was my favorite - especially knowing that Robin Roberts is fighting Cancer right now and Charlie bought a star for her!  So sweet.  Oh, I guess I forgot to mention why they were all coming together, duh.  It was to promote this new initiative, "Stand Up to Cancer." I am realizing just how many families have to face this devastating disease more and more and it breaks my heart.  I think it's great that the networks are teaming up, like they did after 9/11 and the Tsunami to raise money to fight Cancer.

You can read more about it here.

Okay, now I'm going to try to post the pictures from my trip to Nags Head with Ann to visit my family for Memorial Day weekend - wish me luck... this new picture uploading thingy is kind of weirding me out a little... (Edit: clearly I don't know how to line the pictures up... I hope you don't get lost below)

Ann and I road-tripping.  Of course, Interstate 95 was a disaster (as usual) but we made the best of it.

Here we are taking a gross picture of ourselves.

I had to take a picture of this van because it reminded me of the van my dad drove when I was a kid.

I liked to call it "Sweet Pickles."

Thank God I did not ever have to drive it, really.

This is my nephew's boat.

Ain't it cute? 

Jorden said "Yes, my bathing suit matches my boat."

We are so related.

Ain't he cute?

Why do kids grow up when you aren't looking?

I hate it.. because it makes me feel old.

But whatever.

JT's friend wakeboarding.

All I remember about this kid is that he's a chef.

An important quality in a man.

It was tough.

Aaaahhhhh....

I've told you before about how Ann and I take horrible pictures together.  This time, it was apparently my turn to look horrible.

Seriously - did my hair blow off or what?

Nephew sandwich.

Would you look at these boys? 

Seriously - Jorden and Colby are such studs!

I'm pretty sure I'm the cool Aunt. (shhhh)

Would you look at this dog?  Would you believe it's a puggle?

Her name is Mocha.  And I don't think she could look anything less like Brokaw and still be a puggle.

Crazy! 

Speaking of Brokaw - he went to the beach for only the second time in his life, and he was loving it!

He was a little freaked out by the waves.

I think he's afraid of rip currents.

Ha!

He was big into the sand, though.  Almost too much.  He was eating it - GROSS!

He loved being on my Mom's boat.

Big weekend for Brokaw, a.k.a starfish killer, a.k.a. carpet eater.

Do you feel like you're watching a vacation slideshow yet?  Because I feel like one of Marge's sisters on the Simpsons...

This is my Mom's house.

Ain't it cute?

This is where it starts to get scary.  I don't know what is posessing me to put actual bathing suit pictures up on the internet.

I have no business doing so.

But they're already on Facebook, so whatever.

I told you, scary.  Shield your childrens' eyes. Don't say I didn't warn you.

And don't comment unless you're going to tell me how great I look.  Even if you're lying, I don't care.

Good thing I already have a man that loves me for what's on the inside :)

This is my Mom.

Ain't she cute?

She's been looking good in a bathing suit for as long as I can remember.

I hate her.

Naah.  I love her.

I realized this weekend that we not only have the same smile, but we have the same laugh.

The real laugh, the one from the gut that you can't stop.

It's scary.  Gilmore-ish, really. She's the deal.

Captain Dave.

I think I have this same picture of Dave every year for like the last 5 years.

Some things never change.

This is my stepdad Dave's brother Steve.

This is my stepdad Dave's brother Steve's son, Stevie.

Welcome to my family!

Ha.  Bring your notepad.

Captain Cindy.

This photo speaks volumes.

She runs a tight ship.

And that's all she wrote.

I think that's about all the internet can handle for one day.

Cheers!

Today would have been my Papa Tom's 80th birthday.  I miss him.  He was great, he had a really nice smile.  He was funny - when he meant to be - and when he had no idea we were laughing.  He never got to see this blog but I think he'd get a kick out of seeing his name on the internet - and he'd probably think it was a much bigger deal than it really is, perhaps even bragging about me.  Which I totally wouldn't deserve, but I'd love.  Miss you, Papa!

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Inspired

Last night I was inspired.

I made it to that event at the Press Club I was pumped about.

Marvin Kalb interviewed Kimberly Dozier.

Both of them were amazing.

I was fascinated - hearing about her journey to becoming a foreign correspondent, about what it is truly like to cover the Iraq war as a journalist and of course the compelling story of her recovery after her co-workers were killed and she was badly injured in a bombing two years ago.

She was smart, genuine and really nice!

Shout out to Daniel from Newsweek who let me hand her his pen so she could sign my book, and for taking this picture.

Kimberly told me she has my jacket in Red and White. Of course, you realize that a trench coat is to a foreign correspondent what sneakers are to NBA players, so that was super sweet.

That made me smile.

Please pray for my friends David & Christin today.  David starts chemo, again.  Your prayers are much appreciated - thanks!

I am super sleepy today which I hope pays off since I am going to try to sleep at a different time, so that I can go hear Kimberly Dozier at the Press Club tonight.  We'll see.

I miss Joe - terribly.  Please come back, soon.  Sincerely, your DC fan club president.

I'm happy for Kenny Chesney - 4 in a row! CAN'T WAIT to see him this summer!!

I can't stop watching the video of New Kids on the Block from the Today Show Friday.  Oh my goodness - does it take me back!  I think Joey Mac's "Please Don't Go Girl" will always make me melt.  Even when I'm 80.

This weekend I had a blast with my one and only cousin, Natalie.  I don't think I could handle anoth-ra cousrin, shoot.  I came away from this weekend exhausted (I am clearly far from 22 years old) and seriously wanting her camera.  I enjoyed the many laughs.  We can be quite ridiculous togeth-ra. "Haaii."

Too bad I have to use my economic stimulus check to pay my stupid car tax.  Such a crime.

Pict-ras:

Me and Cousin Natalie.

Cousin and Jessi.

Arrrggggh!!!

T-Rex arms.

That had to be frustrating.

T-Rex feet.

There were WAY too many people in the Museum of Natural History.

I think this elephant was even a bit overwhelmed.

Now, that's just not nice.

I think the T-Rex wanted to break it up... but unfortunately, he had T-Rex arms.

This security guard is not even posing!

I promise.

He was just resting in this spot... and I waited in line to take this picture! HA!

I never realized how cool the Sculpture Garden is.

Very neat.

You know I have to be the ridiculous person who tramples the grass to get a picture.

That's not even funny.

But it felt funny at the time - isn't that the worst?

This is the new Newseum.

I'm super excited to check this out - but I'm saving it.

Capitol Dome beauty shot.

I am hoping there are some votes going on in there that say it's illegal for the State of Virginia to charge such astronomical car tax rates and that it's hindering our economy from being stimulated, therefore striking down VA's car tax.

I'm hoping.

Finally.. this is an example of one of those things you walk by, notice, and think "What in the world, Jesus?"

Then you turn around and take a picture.

It's okay Jessi - it's not Fat Pine, I don't think...

That's all for now. I wish you all a bearable Monday.

Somebody Likes Me

A great thing happened to me this "morning."  I had a little red card in my mailbox - which means there's a package for me at the concierge desk.  Yay!  I went down there and came back with this:

I can't wait to read it.  Listening to the podcast Q & A with Roger Mudd - his time certainly seemed like a fascinating time to be in the business!

Thank you, Michael.

Today President Bush is in Jerusalem.  I love it when he is overseas because then he has events in the middle of the night and I get to see things LIVE without staying awake 24 hours.  I hope he dances some on this trip!  His moves are the BEST.  MSNBC has live coverage of his arrival right now - a live shot with John Yang and everything - impressive at 4:23am!  Shout out John!

Laura Bush is rocking some Ray Bans right now on the red carpet.

Speaking of President Bush, I was just reading the text of his interview Tuesday with Mike Allen of the Politico.  And I saw this:

"Q: Mr. President, the one thing we don't see in here is a computer, and we know that you went cold turkey off e-mail for security reasons. What are you looking forward to when you finally get your computer back?

Bush: E-mailing to my buddies. I can remember as governor I stayed in touch with all kinds of people around the country, firing off e-mails at all times of the day to stay in touch with my pals. One of the things that I will have ended my public service time with is a group of friends, a lot of friends. And I want to stay in touch with them and there's no better way to communicate with them than through email."

Maybe he will have time to read my blog!  How COOL would that be, right?  I may just quit my job, stay home with my dog and blog all day.  Sounds like a swell life, eh?

Okay, one other nerdy news/politics note for anyone who is still with me - and it happens to be another compliment to MSNBC, I like their "After Hours" primary coverage with Dan Abrams.  The neon lights, the jazz band - very different, very cool.

"Black Baloon" just came up on my Pandora.  I have always loved that song.  I wish Pandora had a repeat option.  Maybe it does, I just don't know it?

Back to work...

(Photo credit: AP)  I just want point out that I'm pretty sure Barbara Bush reads my blog and has picked up on my picture trick.

Clearly she needs more practice, she's not as good as me at the hand on the hip move, but remember, if you must be photographed on the end, put your hand on your hip.

It really slims down the arm.  Practice makes perfect. 

P.S. Jenna's dress was BEAUTIFUL and I really wish the White House had released pictures of MC Rove busting a move. 

Yo Mama is so...

not as great as my Mama.  Happy Mother's Day Mom!!  You seriously are the best.  The best mom.  My best friend.  My hero.

Thank you for...
Coming up with ridiculous nicknames for me.
Teaching me to say "oochie goochie" after I stub my toe until the pain goes away.
Re-applying my clown make-up.
Writing notes for me to put in my shoes during cheerleading try-outs.
Being excited about my job even though you don't really know what or who I'm talking about.
Ocracoke.
Bailing me out.
My smile.
Understand me just by the tone of my voice.
Lunch money.
Being my ally.
Countless laughs, millions of hugs, and just for being you in general.

Call Your Mother

It's Mother's Day people.  She pushed you out, do your part.

After two super exciting weekends of traveling and seeing some of my favorite people on the planet, this weekend was pretty chill.  All alone in my apartment for two days or so.  Sometimes this can be lovely, sometimes it can be lonely.  Most of the time it's just okay.  It's my life and I learned a while ago to just go with it and not wait for "life" to begin.

This weekend it was actually pretty great.  I feel rested and accomplished and grateful for what I have.  I have been reminded that the "typical" can be extraordinary in many ways - if you just open your eyes.

Don't take the normal for granted. 

I stocked up my fridge and freezer with healthy food, cleaned my carpets, cooked twice, played with Brokaw, had a virtual date night, enjoyed two early mornings of coffee and the Washington Post, went to the gym, opened a bill I've been dreading and putting off, downloaded the new Gavin DeGraw album (do it), wrote a letter to my favorite soldier, and sent something to my love.  Oh, and I got a pedicure, that is hard to top.

Nothing extraordinary.  Yet just right.  Thank you, Lord.  And thank you also to the paper boy (or girl) for leaving me a Post on Saturday, I'm a Sunday subscriber only - so that was a nice little BONUS.

Some reminders are simple yet profound.  I embrace my normal.