Sneaking in a day-date

Little-known fact: C and I work in office buildings that are directly across the street from each other. We spend all-day-er'ry-day separated by the distance of a few football fields. People often tell me that this is great and ask if we eat lunch together every day or get coffee all the time... and the surprising answer is that no, we actually do not. And that's intentional! We commute together 2x a day, spend all evening together, and spend the weekends together. We have made a conscious decision to keep our work lives separate, because, for heaven's sakes, there is such a thing as too much time with your spouse. We need time to be individuals!

There is definitely a perk, though, to being able to run across the street for a phone charger when I forget mine, or demanding a coffee break when I'm having a particularly frustrating day. It doesn't happen very often, though, so that makes it a treat when it does occur.

Yesterday, though, we broke the mold and decided to have a real-live lunch date! The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and we decided to take advantage of that and walk over to Chop't for salads (I am in love with Chop't - I want one in my living room.) It was refreshing to get away from the office for a bit (very rare for me as I almost always bring my lunch) and spend a little QT with my hubby in the middle of the day. I'd forgotten how much fun that can be! It's also pretty neat to see all the sites that are laying right outside our office buildings - I forget that these are things people actually travel here to visit and see! No big deal, just walking past the Nation's Capitol building on our way to lunch...! :)

An afternoon at Arlington

Yesterday, my sister and I took a trip to Arlington National Cemetery to visit my grandfather. My grandpa was laid to rest at Arlington in April 2012, and it took almost six months past that to get his headstone installed. I had yet to have an opportunity to see the headstone, and yesterday seemed like as good a time as any to go for a visit, being Veteran's Day and all.

Still so new that the letters aren't blacked in yet

It was a gorgeous day in DC, just a little cloudy, and a light breeze. The sun was shining, and the temperature was dipping just slightly.

While the cemetery itself is rather confusing to get into, it was quite easy to find the section where my grandfather is buried, and, thanks to our special parking pass, we were able to drive right up and park next to the area we needed to be in. I really appreciate the fact that it is so easy to get access to a loved one's grave-site - I can't imagine having to go through some bureaucratic paperwork song-and-dance each and every time we wanted to go visit.

Section 55

Not quite filled in all the way yet... lots of new graves, still, and more to come

The shadows are so poignant

My family has the flag that was presented at the funeral, as well as several shell casings from the 21-gun salute, and we keep it protected in a flag box. Nat brought it along, and we set it beside Grandpa's headstone for a little visit. We spent some time taking pictures and reminiscing, and I felt very much at peace while we were there. There were lots of people taking advantage of the holiday and visiting, and we saw several tour groups, but we were largely undisturbed, and I was grateful for those private moments.

I love the lighting in this one

One of my favorites. The reflection in the box is so pretty.

So proud of our vet, and honored to have known him

Take me out to the balllll game!...

This weekend flew by! Definitely one of those where I remember that it was Friday afternoon... and then I blinked and it was Sunday evening! Sure sign of good times being had, right?

On Saturday afternoon, I sunscreen'd myself up, grabbed my raincoat, and headed out to the ball game with my three favorite guys: my dad, my husband, and my uncle!

My dad had gotten tickets for the Nationals game from work, and so we headed to the stadium for an afternoon of fun. So far, I've attended exactly one baseball game per season for the last three seasons - I'm not a huge baseball fan (give me a hockey game any day) but it is definitely fun to go to a major league event, and the Nats stadium is a fantastic place to see a game! We had such a blast wandering around the stadium, drinking beers and enjoying bratwursts with onions, peppers, and sauerkraut (<--my fave! ha). We had club seats, so we were nicely shaded from the sun - and also from the rain when it started to pour! I experienced my first real-live rain delay.

Dark clouds rolled in, and it poured rain for a bit. I actually found it kind of fun to watch the field crew roll out the cover for the field, and then roll it back up once the rain cleared.

The teams came back out to play the last inning and a half, and the Nats held off the Mets for the win! We all had such a great time - and definitely needed naps afterwards! Sun + beer = tired Lindsay. Well worth it, though!

Sandy, can't you see, I'm in misery...*

Well, it's official - Hurricane Sandy is upon us! It has been raining all day, the wind is really picking up, and I just started hearing sirens - definitely not good.

We've done the best we can to prepare for the storm, buts its truly hard to know what to do. We went to the store, and came home with bottled water, a case of beer, and a bag of chips so we can make nachos tonight... maybe we're not the best at being adults. However, we are planning on making camp in the living room tonight, rather than sleeping upstairs in our room, because there are a lot of trees behind our house. Just seems safer to be on the lower level.

The federal government, local schools, and public transit are all closed down - after a few major disasters in the last couple years, it seems like people are finally deciding to make the safe calls and not risk employee safety. Better safe than sorry!  We had to take Mac to the vet today, but other than that, we've been shut up indoors, watching movies and hanging out. I'm so happy to be safe and dry!

"You took me to the vet, in the rain?! Worst humans ever."

Good thing I have pink rain boots...

A nice pot of gluhwein to keep me warm tonight... Definitely a win!

A warm drink is essential on a night like tonight - my personal favorites are apple cider with dark or spiced rum, or gluhwein! Gluhwein is German mulled wine, and it is so easy and so delicious. There are lots of recipes out there - its one of those things that really doesn't need a "recipe" at all; just add things till it tastes right. Here's how I make mine:

Gluhwein

• 1 bottle red wine (cheap is good!)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• Juice of half a lemon and half an orange
• Slices of half a lemon and half an orange
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Mix all ingredients together in a quart pan over low heat. It's ready to go as soon as it's warm, but the longer it sits on the heat, the better it tastes. Enjoy!

*I do enjoy all the references to Grease that "Sandy" has brought about.... great movie, duh.

In Memory of a Hero

Arlington National Cemetery

Today, we are burying my grandfather at Arlington National Cemetery. My grandfather, the war hero, is being laid to rest in the only place he every really wanted to be. I am honored to be able to attend a ceremony in such a hallowed place, and am proud to be able to say that my grandpa is one of the people who is special and honorable enough, who gave enough for his country, to be able to laid to rest in this sacred location.

The gravestone being laid in Washington State

The front of the ceremony program from Arlington

Inside the program

My grandfather's obituary from the newspaper in Washington

The second half of the obituary

 The obituary reads as follows:
"Passed away November 23, 2011, after many years of fighting prostate cancer and recently bladder cancer. Born to Dorothy Imogene and Gleanis O. Cooper, Kellogg, IA. Richard joined the US Army in 1947 at the age of 17. Serving in the Korean War as a squad leader in the I&R Platoon, 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, X CORP, he was one of the "FEW" who survived the bitter battle (4 days, 5 nights) on the east side of the Chosin (Changjin) Reservoir, Korea, in the winter of 1950. Air evacuated to Battlecreek, MI, he recovered from his wounds and frostbitten hands and feet. He then went on to join the 11th Airborne Division stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY, where he earned his much coveted paratrooper badge. From 1956-1959 he was assigned to the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group in the Philippine Islands. Returning to the US, he joined the 82nd Airborne Division, 1962-1965, at Ft. Bragg, NC. In 1965-1966, he was assigned as an advisor to the Japanese Airborne Brigade in Japan. In 1966 he was transferred to the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) in Taiwan Republic of China (1966-1969) where he was promoted to the rank of Command Sergeant Major (CSM). From 1969-1970 he served as CSM, HHC, 1st BDE, 101st Airborne Division in the Vietnam War. His medals include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal (3rd), Joint Service Commendation, Army Commendation (3 OLC), Good Conduct (7th Award) and others. His most coveted were the Combat Infantry Badge, 2nd Award, and his Master Parachutist Badge. Honorably discharged in 1970, Richard and his family remained in Taipei, Taiwan, where he worked as plant manager for General Instruments Corp for nine years before returning to the US. Richard is survived by his four children who dearly love him: Tamara Cooper Tenner, Spokane, WA; Craig A. Cooper and his wife Sharon, Woodbridge, VA; Ellise Cooper Anderson and her husband Bruce, Camas, WA; Kimberly A. Cooper Phebus and her husband Brett, Spokane, WA; and six grandchildren: Mandara Tenner, Spokane, WA; Larissa Anderson, Seattle, WA; Christopher Anderson, Camas, WA; Lindsay Cooper West, Woodbridge, VA; Natalie Cooper, Woodbridge, VA; Blake Phebus, Spokane, WA. His brother Roger Cooper and his wife, Eileen, Charlotte, NC; his wife, Judy Fisette and her two children, Post Falls, ID. 

'Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them." -Henry David Thoreau' 

Full Military Honors Service is planned in the Spring at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia."

My grandfather was a military man through-and-through. He loved what he did, and he was proud of his actions. He carried a lot of deep memories, though, and I know that there was a lot that he went through that he never shared with anyone. I will never forget going to visit the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials here with him in DC, and the distant look in his eyes - the way he was transported back to days and experiences that I could never understand, and the way he remembered those of his friends who he was unable to save.

He suffered a lot in the end, with multiple types of cancer. All he really ever wanted was to be buried at Arlington. I am happy that we are bringing him home.

"And I'm proud to be on this peaceful piece of property,
I'm on sacred ground and I'm in the best of company,
And I'm thankful for those thankful for the things I've done,
I can rest in peace, I'm one of the chosen ones,
I made it to Arlington.

And every time I hear, twenty-one guns,
I know they brought another hero home, to us.

We're thankful for those thankful for the things we've done,
We can rest in peace, 'cause we were the chosen ones,
We made it to Arlington, yea, dust to dust
Don't cry for us, we made it to Arlington."
-Arlington, Trace Adkins

Visiting the Cherry Blossoms - A Fieldtrip at Work

This year is the centennial celebration of the cherry blossom trees in DC! Every year, the city hosts the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and this year is extra special as it’s been 100 years since the trees were gifted to us by Japan. For more information about the history of the trees and the festival, visit the website.

 

Yesterday, my team members at work and I decided to take a lunchtime trip over to see the trees along the Tidal Basin. A picnic lunch sounded like the perfect way to enjoy the beautiful trees! It took us about 20 minutes to walk from our office to the main area where the trees are, and then we found a nice open spot and sat down to eat. One of my coworkers used my boss’s new camera to take some gorgeous pictures! Even though it was a grey, overcast day, he still managed to take some awesome photos.

 

I am lucky enough to work at the same company as my best friend, and we snuck in a little photo shoot before heading back to the office – these pictures are such a great example of our true relationship. 

We did get in a cute one though - might have to frame this one for my desk!

It’s starting to be “tourist season” in DC, and the streets were absolutely packed with visitors. The trees peaked early this year (the weather has been wacky, and it had its effect on the trees), but that doesn’t seem to have phased the zillions of people who travel here to see the pretty trees and the Nation’s Capital. I forget how great it is to work in the city and live so close some times, and that I have so much history right at my fingertips. I’m going to make it my goal this year to be patient with the tourists – it’s hard sometimes! It’s easy to forget that not everyone knows their way around the city, and that they just want to have the best time they can. We should all try to be welcoming hosts!

My team and I enjoyed our little fieldtrip, and it was so great to get out and get some fresh air during the workday. I think we are going to try to plan more adventures for this spring – this one was such a success, we will definitely have to do it again!