Welcome to the 21st century…

Well, we finally saved up the magic amount that was our goal.  We decided that we could no longer put off “important” purchases.  Therefore, last weekend, we were able to make two very fun purchases. 

First, we got an AWESOME vacuum.  I cannot even begin to describe how great this thing works, especially with Gabby.  I thought we were in great need of having our carpets cleaned because the old vacuum (7 years-old) would “work,” but it still left dirty spots.  We got the Electrolux Versatility.  I look forward to vacuuming now.  I am serious.  I love it.  We were shocked to learn that our carpets are in fact not gray, but off-white.  They look beautiful.

We also got a new TV!  We planned to purchase an LCD TV for years, ever since we moved to TN in 2008.  We always put it off, stating, “We’re moving soon, we’ll get one then.”  The 9 year-old RCA that we purchased right after we got married still works fine, but it is very dated.  Thanks to HH Gregg (they took over most of the old Circuit City buildings in the Eastern part of the States), and their 15% off Easter Sale, we got an LG 42" 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV!  Greg is out of town, so I picked it up and set it up all by myself!  The HDMI cables make a huge difference, even on the non-HD channels.  I love it!  I can watch TV without my glasses now!

Things I Love About Washington DC!

(though we do live in Northern Virginia)…

1. Greg’s Job
2. My Job
3. The Smithsonian Institution (the one’s I have been to include the Air and Space Museum, The American History Museum, The Natural History Museum, and The Museum of the American Indian)
4. All of the other cool free places to visit (Washington Monument, The White House,  The Botanical Gardens, The Capitol Building)
5. Rich history (Mount Vernon especially)
6. My house!
7. Ikea is just down the street
8. Potomac Mills is just down the street  
9. So many educational opportunities
10. It feels like being on vacation all of the time
11. Access to so many other East Coast cities (NYC is just 4 hours away!)
12. Everyone is from everywhere, so you don’t ever worry about being “not from around here”
13. DC Cupcakes
14. People love to come and visit sine there are so many cool things here
15. Urban yet rural too; there are so many nature preserve areas, rivers, and scenic drives

Top Things I Miss About The Pacific Northwest!

1. Family!
2. Tillamook Cheese
3. The Oregon Coast, especially in the winter…
4. Mountains (um, Virginia, 5729 feet does not count…)
5. Burgerville
6. Socks with sandals and cargo shorts in the winter
7. Subaru’s (oh, wait, I have one!)
8. Grandmas House
9. Diesel Suburban, no passengers, bumper sticker “Save the Planet”
10. Die-Hard Portland Trail Blazer fans, rain or shine, we love ‘em!
11. The traffic (I know, it still is heavy, but you haven’t seen NOTHING till you get to the I-95, I-66, I-395, I-495 knot in Virginia!)
12. “Breaking News” for 100+ degree days and 1”+ snow days
13. Pacific Northwest English
14. Lots and lots of Starbucks (17 miles to work, and I only pass ONE?!)
15. Seeing people in the rain, sans umbrella (thinking I am strange when I am the only one!)

Now, I don’t want any “woe is me,” the next edition will be the things I love about DC!