Blue Hearts

Hey All,

Better late than never. I have some great shots of the Inauguration that I want to share with you. I've posted them on my Facebook page but I know many of you don't subscribe. (I just started last month!!)




My sister, April's, now famous Obama cookies - They're shortbread

Upon arrival, my sister picked me up and we returned to her place where she finished her work in progress. She gifted all the dinner attendees at our Monday and Tuesday night dinners. Yum.




Me with my Donkey friend in the lobby of the Ritz before our dinner at West End Bistro.




Having a drink before dinner from lower left: sister April, cousin Celine, cousin (Celine's brother) Alexander, Aunty Anna, me, Anna's daughter, Karen.



On the metro on the way to the inaugural ceremony. My sister April, friend Nicole and friend Tom. It's not even crowded yet. It was so tight and people kept trying to get on the trains. We were definitely familiar with the sardine experience.



The throngs leaving the Capital South Metro station.




While weaving through the line for the Orange section. It was like walking a labyrinth only in a figure 8. You couldn't find the end of the line if your life depended on it. You can see the security gate behind us.




Once we got into our Orange Section 12 (about 4 hours since we left the house that a.m.) who else was in our section but Bruce and Patty!!! This was my souvenir for Bill!!



A shot from my seat.




Our new president giving his wonderful speech. Oh happy day!




The crowd behind us without flags...



The crowd with flags. Keep in mind, this was with a telephoto lens at the end of it's capability.

Being among millions of people who were all so excited to be in this one place, anticipating such great things from this impressive man, was a truly amazing experience I'll never forget. Listening to the speech and hearing the speakers as they went back and back and back, we were about two sentences ahead of what the back of the crowd was hearing. Listening to the music of the quartet, albeit prerecorded, brought tears to my eyes.

As we were leaving, who was about five people in front of us but Oprah Winfrey. There was a fuzzy microphone over her as she was being interviewed while walking. She had been recording her show from DC, apparently. But I don't think they were with the show.

We slowly milled out of the seating area and headed toward the Library of Congress to attend my Aunt's party in the James Madison room. We felt so fortunate to have a place to go nearby where there would be bathrooms and food!!! If we didn't have that, it would have been possibly hours before we would have had access to either. Certainly the metro stations would all be packed.



Yum!










With James Madison, a lovely jazz ensemble. So civilized!






And we topped off the perfect day with a lovely family dinner at 1789 in Georgetown. What a perfect choice. It's an elegant, intimate dining experience. As it was built in 1789 all the rooms are very cozy. I was so happy to have ended the night like this.




The District celebrates our new president!:






The Newseum



The Willard Hotel







Now, just in case my pictures don't do it for you, here are some more to enjoy:

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/01/the_inauguration_of_president.html


For your enjoyment:

Moneygall is a small village in County Offaly, Ireland. It has
a population of approximately 300 people, has a Roman Catholic church, five
shops, a post office, a national school, a police station and two pubs.


President-elect of the United States Barack Obama's
great-great-great grandfather, Falmouth Kearney, emigrated from Moneygall
to New York City at the age of 19 in 1850 and eventually resettled in
Tipton County, Indiana. Kearney's father had been the village shoemaker,
then a wealthy skilled trade.


And now for the SONG...Crank up your speakers.

http://www.oneeyedparrot.org/obama.html


And here's an article for your reading pleasure. Can you believe this is coming from Ed Rollins?

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/20/rollins.inauguration/index.html


Another reason to have hope.

http://www.salon.com/env/feature/2009/01/26/obama_cabinet/?source=newsletter

And finally and totally unrelated, if you are interested in receiving a free bone scan and body fat assessment, check this study out. I did it and it was easy. I've included Karren's description. She sent it to me.

Thanks for listening!!!!!!
Kristin

I recently was referred to an osteoporosis study that is being done by UMKC. It took me about an hour for the entire appointment. It involved a blood draw, wt., ht., waist and hip measurements and a total body scan for bone density and body fat (ugh). You have to go to Truman for the appt., and I was very impressed with the facility. The great thing about it is that you get a bone density and % of body fat report that would normally cost about $300. The results are printed out for you to take. The study will go on for approximately another year and is free to anyone of either sex age 18 or over. Plus, you get a free $25 gift card to AMC or Price Chopper. What a deal! The person to contact if interested is below.
Karren


Jillian Richwine
Director, Kansas City Osteoporosis Study (KCOS)
Human Genetics/Genomics Center
Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Basic Medical Sciences
University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine
2411 Holmes, M3-C03
Kansas City, Missouri, 64108-2792
LABORATORY: 816-404-5414
FAX: 816-404-5415
MOBILE: 816-645-2048
E-MAIL: richwinej@umkc.edu