charlie goes to the white house

In between birthdays, vacations and baseball games, we recently crossed something off our DC bucket list. A friend working in the White House took us on a West Wing tour. It pays to know the right people! West Wing tours are only offered on certain evenings and weekends. Our friend was kind enough to spend part of his Saturday showing us around. 

It's much smaller and less opulent than you might expect. I was prepared for it to be cramped, but it was even less roomy and unimpressive than imagined. We saw the door to the situation room - the area around it reminded me of a cruise ship with its dark wood, windowless rooms and naval-inspired decor. It's below the oval office, and I had a hard time imagining the President walking down that same small, dark hallway. If you had shown me a photo, I would have thought it was a nondescript budget hotel hallway. If there is anything I've learned since living in DC, it's that government work ain't glamorous. ;)

The Rose Garden was my favorite part of the tour. It too was smaller than imagined, but quite lovely. Seeing the iconic white columns that frame the outside walk from the residence to the oval office was pretty cool. The Oval Office itself was exactly as you see in photos or depicted in TV shows and movies. It's just a very nice office with tall windows, thick curtains and a big ol' desk. 

We couldn't take any photos inside (other than in the press room) so you'll have to settle for outside shots. Even though Charlie slept in the Ergo the entire time, it's still really fun that we'll be able to tell him all about his visit to the White House someday. 

At the West Wing entrance 

Asleep in the press room. I'm sure he's not the first. Zzzzzzzz.

From the steps of the EEOB with the West Wing in the background.

Post-tour meltdown - probably wondering why we woke him from his Ergo nap. Luckily he didn't do this inside!

After the West Wing tour, we made a bonus stop at Dad's office, which is just a few blocks from the White House. His office is *almost* as nice as the one we toured earlier. I mean, check out that scenic view. ;) 

cherry blossoms

I have a love/hate relationship with cherry blossoms. I think most locals do. While the trees are beautiful and a welcome harbinger of spring, the mass of tourists that descend on the city in late March and early April almost makes you want to send the trees back to Japan. Thanks, but no thanks.

While driving into the city the other day, I posed this question to Jon, "Have you ever seen a tourist family in DC that looks like they were having fun?" The answer is no. Friends, yes. Couples, yes. Family with kids, not so much. The parents look exhausted, the kids look bored, and everyone looks like they are tired of walking. As my mom would say, DC is a work vacation, and if you come during cherry blossom season, you are guaranteed extra work thanks to expensive hotels, crowded transportation (actually, make that crowded everything), and long lines wherever you go.

Given the above, I wasn't the least bit upset when I realized our weekend in Philly corresponded with peak bloom. We heard from several friends who braved the mall over that weekend that it was a complete madhouse. Some people didn't even make it the tidal basin.

We came up with another plan to enjoy the blossoms without the hassle. We woke up early (way early) last Monday morning. We parked at Jon's office, hopped on the metro and walked all around the tidal basin. It was a perfect morning and we practically had the place to ourselves...well, ourselves, and all the trash the weekend crowd had left behind. Like I said, it's love/hate with cherry blossom season.

It's the only way to do it, and I'm so glad we did. Also, that's another thing crossed off the 30 by 30 list.

i look really awesome, but who bothers with hair and makeup at 5:00 a.m.?

a note on the midwest

I interrupt the vacation storytelling to bring you a little note on my encounter today. I’m going to do some generalizing & stereotyping. If that gets your knickers in a twist, read no further.

I waited for my bus inside a hotel lobby today because it was chilly outside. I sat down next to a man who must have seen me eyeing his goodies because he jokingly declared that I couldn’t have his wine or chocolates. He explained that today was his lucky day. A lady had given him the wine because she didn’t want to carry it around in her purse and the chocolates were from a waitress to make up for his cold eggs.

He asked me if I was from DC, to which I responded that nobody is really from DC. This is, of course, not entirely true, but pretty close. He wanted to know where I’m from. I answer this question differently depending on the situation. When I’m outside the DMV (DC-Maryland-Virigina), I usually tell people I’m from the DC area, but when I’m here in the DMV, the answer is always North Dakota. I haven’t lived there in almost 10 years, but it’s still home.

 “You’ll never guess where I’m from,” he said, “North Dakota!” Of course he was.

We went on to a have a lengthy discussion about home, oil (naturally), his visit to DC, and my life in DC. It was the best way to spend a few minutes waiting for the bus. It reminded me how much I love people from the Midwest, particularly people from North Dakota. There are so few of us that it’s hard to meet one you don’t instantly love.

Some of you may not get the whole Midwest thing, and I understand that. I know we aren’t the warmest bunch. We can be a bit (ok, a lot) reserved, pragmatic to a fault, suspicious of outsiders, annoyingly polite. We think soda is pop, this is salad, and distance is measured in hours, not minutes.

After living in the South for 5 years and now the Mid-Atlantic for just under 5 years (I confess that I always thought  DC was just considered East Coast before moving here), Midwest really is best. This isn’t a knock on the South. I loved the food and was fascinated by the big personalities, bless your hearts. Although, I will admit I could have done without the weather and the hugs. SO MANY HUGS. And I love living here in the DMV where we enjoy 4 distinct seasons, cultural diversity, and trees. Trees are great.

But at the end of the day, there is no one I would rather have in my corner than a Midwesterner. We are fiercely loyal, refreshingly genuine, sensible, hard working, honest, and humble. It can be hard to break through our shells, but once you do, you have a friend for life. We won’t think twice about lending a hand or feeding a neighbor – probably with hotdish.

Since I haven’t lived in the Midwest for a long time, I find those sensibilities in me slipping away. The accent faded a long time ago. I smile less at strangers. I walk faster. Being able to see for miles now seems strange. Today was a nice little reminder that there is no place like home, even if home is considered a flyover state by most.

why i love the bar method

I showed up out of shape and discouraged. That first class (and, well, every one after it) completely owned me, but I was instantly hooked. 20 months later, I'm still showing up 3-4 times a week. It's a miracle, and it's high time I share with all of you why I'm addicted to the Bar Method.

All photos from The Bar Method DC - my awesome local studio where I spend 3-4 hours each week. 

The teachers are amazing. By far the best part of Bar Method are the relationships you build with the teachers. From day one, they have always been this perfect blend of encouraging and challenging. They all know my name. They keep track of any modifications I need to make. They monitor my progress and hold me accountable. And most importantly, they push me farther than I would ever push myself. This is one of my favorite teacher stories:

When I first started taking class, I did push-ups at the bar. Yes, this is usually reserved for the preggos and people with injuries, but I was that out of shape. My teacher that day was Lauren. I took a lot of classes with her in the beginning because she was teaching most of the level 1 classes at that time, and I was too terrified to try anything more advanced. Eventually I graduated to mixed level classes and doing push-ups on my knees.

Fast forward several months. Lauren grabbed me after class one day and said, "I bet you could do your push ups on your toes." The thought hadn't even crossed my mind. It seemed like that was reserved for the ridiculously fit, marathon-runner types among us. But guess what? The next class, I took her suggestion and gave it a try. I think I managed to do about 5 before dropping back to my knees. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it completely shocked me. I have the upper body strength of T Rex. Without her encouragement, I'm not sure I would have ever tried doing 1, but now I can do up to 30!

This is the best way I can describe it: it's like having a personal trainer (or rather lots of personal trainers) without paying the personal trainer price.

The atmosphere is welcoming. I was completely out of shape when I first showed up at Bar Method [see above], but I never felt judged. Egos are checked at the door. The peer pressure is all positive. Rather than competing, we're all just trying to survive together. You'll be inspired by the pregnant women who often outwork everyone else in class or the newcomers who won't give up because you remember what your first class was like (I think I almost passed out). And it's totally ok to try and fail. I still do it all the time. I work so much harder in class than I ever would on my own, and a lot of that is due to the motivation boost from my fellow classmates. If she can take the harder option while 9 months pregnant, what's my excuse?!

It's always challenging. I'm a routine kind of gal, so I love the routine of Bar Method, but it never gets boring and it never gets easier. I've been going for 1.5 years and have yet to plateau. Each teacher is a little different, and each class challenges you in a different way. As you get better and your form improves over time, it actually only gets harder (just what you wanted to hear, right?). It's like a competition against yourself - can I be better than I was yesterday? Can I correct one more thing in my form? Can I stay in this exercise without taking a break?

It improved my posture. I'm a lifelong slumper. The Bar Method's focus on form and core strength has done wonders for me. Of course it also helps that you carry yourself better when you feel better about yourself. A few months after taking class, I was randomly stopped on the street by a complete stranger and complimented on my posture and stride. It's one of the best compliments I've ever received.

It made me stronger. This has been the biggest change for me, by far. The emphasis is all on long and lean muscles so you don't have to worry about bulking up. I've never been good about doing strength training, but it's one of the best things women can do.

It helps me sleep better. Nothing works wonders for your sleep cycle like a good dose of exercise.

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Now let's dispel some barre myths so you don't have any excuses. Bar Method is not….

Only for dancers. While its origins are found in ballet, thank goodness there is no actual dancing involved at the Bar Method. I'm a white girl from North Dakota. I'm not very flexible. I could be more graceful. If I can make it through class without completely embarrassing myself, you can too.

Only for the fit. Don't be intimidated. I've seen people of all ages and all fitness levels at Bar. I recommend starting with a level 1 class - it will still be plenty hard, but the slightly slower pace + more instruction will help you get the hang of each exercise. You can move at your own pace, and take the harder modifications as you feel comfortable.

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And finally some other general thoughts about working out….

Buy cute gym clothes. You know that great feeling after you get your hair done or when you're wearing a new lipstick color? You feel good about yourself. You feel pretty. The same thing works at the gym. I used to throw on old t-shirts and sweats, but I'm now a firm believer in investing in nicer gym clothes. Nicer doesn't have to be expensive, but it does have to be cuter than that ratty t-shirt you've been wearing for years.

There are mirrors everywhere at the gym. Since you can't avoid them, why not give yourself a little mental boost when you catch your reflection in them? I'm not ashamed to admit that I've actually been excited to go to class because I have a new tank top or headband to wear. Vibrant colors are especially good for an extra energy boost. And particularly for Bar Method, I recommend slim-fitting clothes so you can easily keep tabs on your form & posture.

Some of my favorite lines are Pure + Good from Anthropologie, Lululemon and Nancy Rose. Gap, Old Navy, and Target also have cute (and more affordable) options.

Stick with what motivates you. It does you absolutely no good to have a fitness routine that you don't follow. For whatever reason (or rather for all the reasons I listed above), I've stuck with Bar Method, but it comes after many failed attempts. I hate running. I'm bored after 5 minutes on a cardio machine. Crossfit still scares the heck out of me. I could force myself to plod through these forms of exercise, but history tells me I'll eventually run out of motivation because I'm not really invested. Even if it's just taking a nice long walk - it's something and it's better than nothing. If you haven't found whatever it is that keeps you motivated - keep trying. There is something out there for everyone.

Invest in your health. Bar Method isn't cheap, but it's a small price to pay when you consider all of the benefits. It's also added motivation. I signed up for monthly unlimited classes - the most cost effective option if you go 3+ times a week. Because I've already spent the money, and I know it wasn't just pocket change, I'm much less likely to cancel class. No, I don't always feel like going to class, but I never regret it either. As the saying goes, I'd rather be sore than sorry!

Play the long game. Some people swear they get instant results from Bar and other forms of exercise. It's great if you fall into the immediate results camp, but I didn't have that experience (and I don't really think it's realistic). I didn't drop 2 dress sizes or several inches overnight, but I did see results on my improvement in class right away. With each class, I got a little better at tackling each element, and that was really motivating. It was gradual, and I still have so far to go, but over time, I really started seeing my strength, posture, energy, flexibility and body change for the better. Celebrate the small victories, be patient for the big ones. They will come!

Now go forth and Bar. There are studios all over the country, and although nothing beats the in-person experience, you can also do the DVDs at home.

p.s. If you're local, and you're tempted to try it, let me know. I get a few free guest passes each year, and I'd love to introduce you to the Bar Method!

adventures in the neighborhood listserv

One of the greatest joys of our neighborhood is the listserv. When it's not full of people asking for plumber recommendations or giving away free stuff, it stoops to the absolutely ridiculous. We even have a listserv troll whose sole purpose is stirring up controversy. Here are some recent gems from the 22305 & my favorite follow-up comments. I have no doubt there will be plenty of content in the future to make this a regular series. 

Original Post: 


Does anyone know either the phone no. to order IRS forms for a maid or where I can get them besides that horrible office in Bailey's Crossroads where I went last year? They were so rude to me when I asked about the forms that I was incredulous. They said they didn't have them and that I'd have to come back, but that there was no phone to call to find out whether they had them. I said "WHAT???" and the lady got up out of her chair and walked out on me.

I actually called my congressional representative, seeing that this is what I'm paying my tax money for, but they did nothing. At any rate, the phone no. that I used last year is no longer in service, so I either need a new one or need to go somewhere ELSE to get these forms. They're no longer sent in the mail. I think one of them is a Schedule H.

Best Response:


It's odd that you've managed to use the internet to send your email to about 2,000 or so people (not to mention calling your congressperson), but somehow it doesn't seem to have occurred to you to see whether IRS Forms are readily available online. Google is your friend.

My thoughts:

It's 2014. I'm pretty sure we can't still be using the word "maid."

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Original Post

I'm going to say it - the thing a lot of us have been thinking but nobody has been willing to say on here. PLEASE try to take down your holiday décor. We find ourselves in mid-January with lights still out and lit every night, blow up Santa on the corner, garlands and wreaths galore, etc. I know it can be a pain to put them all away, that people were out of town for holidays, that it was inordinately cold - but please take them down. I don't think we're the kind of neighborhood that should still have these up when February rolls around. Thank you!! 

Best responses:

Flag Day is June 14th. Please ensure you and yours do your best to make our neighborhood presentable by this time. 

Rats. Just unplugged our lights, but will have to turn them back on ASAP. ;-) 

Was gonna take down outdoor lights tomorrow before departing for three months in Florida, but the challenge has now been issued. Which house has the endurance, the stamina, the fortitude, the good ol' American can-do spirit to earn the first annual Last Blinking Light of the Season award? And no fair if you unplug my lights before my return.

And a few words from the troll:

I have learned many things since joining this wonderful neighborhood, first and formost is that the good citizens of this area are fiercely protective of inflatable pumpkins, witches, and wisemen. Just this past Halloween I made a similar suggestion and found the reaction overwhelming. I received threats, nasty notes and one proposal of marriage. I said no thank you, but later found myself in need of a dance partner and have come to regret that rushed decision. I wish you luck in your clean up campaign. I fear what inflatables valentines day will bring.

My thoughts:

This one actually made it into the Washington Post. This is somewhat embarrassing, but mostly amusing. Today is February 5th, and at least 4 houses on our block still have their lights up and turned on. Also, now would be a good time to explain something. Our neighborhood is really called Beverly Hills. Yes, I think this is ridiculous. Yes, I avoid telling people this. No, I can't do anything about it. Basically my life has become a 10-year-old Weezer song. Great. 

that time i got coffee with obama

Political leanings aside, Presidential sightings are pretty exciting - even here in D.C. where motorcades are abundant. Today, POTUS himself wandered into my work 'hood for lunch (and by wander I mean shut down our entire block with enough flashing lights to feed a disco) so, of course, we all stopped working and spent the next hour gawking.

But gawking from across the street isn't nearly as fun as gawking from 10 feet away so we wandered over to the restaurant for an up-close-as-the-secret-service-will-let-us sneak peek. After a quick secret service wanding, we were in. I played it cool and ordered a chai latte at the coffee bar while taking sneaky President photos.

Photo courtesy my co-worker David. His turned out better than mine.

Here are my thoughts on the prez since we're practically besties now:

He looked a little bored, a lot tired, and like he could use a caramel roll. Also, his head is smaller in person.

I think this tops the Friday happy list.