Washington to Home

We left the hotel early (of course) and asked the "doorman" for a cab.  He got us a "limo" which proved to be $10 more than a cab.  We will be writing the hotel!!!!!

I got a pastry at the airport and Terry got a banana (guess she's back on Weight Watchers this morning).

We arrived at O'Hare and an American Blue Car picked us up.  Again, he did not know it was two stops (Des Plaines and Skokie).  Then when I wanted to pay with a credit card, he gave me a manual credit slip to fill out (which I would not do and have my full credit card number sitting in his car).  He told me it was "illegal" for American Blue to have a swipe machine.  Even though a few days before, the American Blue driver had a swipe machine.  Another call or letter!!!

We both got our mail.  Terry went to the Library and Mariano's to discover that they did not have shrimp there (color her disappointed).  I went to the Township to sign checks.

We both unpacked and are attacking our desks.

Great Day and Wonderful Weather

We got up and went downstairs for a good breakfast.

After breakfast, we took a cab over to the National Portrait Gallery and loved it!!!

After coming back to the hotel to rest, we went to a party on a rooftop, hosted by MRED, the MLS System.  Fun catching up with old friends and new ones too.

Below are the portraits that we loved and some photos from the day:

The Ladies of the Supreme Court

(Terry) Jack Kennedy 

Bill Clinton (Marilyn)

Barack Obama

Eleanor Roosevelt

Marian Anderson

Albert Einstein

Michelle Obama

Gates - Melinda and Bill

Ann Landers

Katherine Hepburn

Katherine Hepburn Oscars

Bobbie Kennedy

Marilyn Manroe 

We had lunch in the courtyard and it was just delightful!

After the Gallery, we went back to the hotel to rest and then took a cab over to the 1717 K Street Roof Top for a cocktail party sponsored by the MRED - MLS.  Below is a photo of some of the North Shore Barrington Association of REALTORS Group.

We grabbed a cab to go back to the hotel and as we entered the lobby, we decided that we needed dessert, so we went into the restaurant and had apple tarts with ice cream.  (That was my third apple tart in three nights)!!!!

Washington, D. C. Day One and Two

American Blue picked me up and then Terry and we got to the airport in plenty of time to go through security and walk the mile to Terminal 2 to our gate!

We checked into our room at the Churchill Hotel.  Poorly designed room with a "couch" that had no light over it and is ugly and uncomfortable as sin.

Took a cab over to the Marriott to register and get a quick bite to eat before taking a cab over to the Hart Senate Building to meet with Senators Duckworth and Durbin.  Quick meeting with Illinois Delegation.

Cab with NSBAR folks to Hilton and crossed the street to our hotel.  Where we rested and then met Marty for dinner.

Fell into bed and got ready for an early morning meeting for Marilyn.

Day Two - May 15, 2019

Marilyn headed out to cab over to the Marriott for a 7:30 a.m. meeting.  Grabbed a cup of coffee over there.  Terry had a nice breakfast at the hotel!

After the meeting, I sat in the lobby talking and then went to the Omni to meet the NSBAR group for a cab ride over to Bullfeathers for lunch.  Terry met us there.

We then walked over to Jan Schakowsky's office and met with Jan, Robert Marcus and Katie Durkin.

We took a cab back to our hotel and rested before meeting with Brian and Rori.

Brian and Rori met us at our hotel and we walked over to a great Italian Restaurant - Sette Osteria, about 4 blocks from the hotel.  We had drinks, dinner and dessert.  Glad we walked because we ingested a lot of calories.

They came back and visited with us at the hotel before leaving to pick up a friend's car for the weekend.  They will be dog sitting for a friend who just lost her father.

On the Road - Day Three

We had no Internet service so I was not able to answer student questions.

We had breakfast at the Baymont and then got on the road by 9:30 a.m.

It was a dreary day, but no fog, rain or other weather conditions to slow us down.

We stopped at Denny's, in Lafayette, and had to wait for a table, but the food came fairly quickly once we were seated.

Made our usual rest stops and then got on I-80/I-94 and went to Terry's house and unloaded her stuff.

I then made my way home and unloaded.  My smoke detector battery was chirping and the building's cleaning lady was in the building and was kind enough to change it for me.

I went grocery shopping (which I think was Terry's plan also).  I'm so spoiled with having my cook with me, having to fix my own meals will be an adjustment.

I still have to unpack my clothes - most other stuff is put away.

On The Road - Day Two - FRIDAY, March 1, 2019

We had breakfast at our hotel, Hyatt Place, Smyrna, GA. and hit the road.

We left about 8:30 a.m., which is early for us.

Lots of FOG and some rain.  Going through the mountains in the fog was interesting.  Everyone was driving carefully.

Stopped at Cracker Barrel for lunch and looked at things in the store, but bought nothing.

Arrived at the Baymont Hotel, in Elizabethtown, KY and the hotel clerk asked if we would mind being upgraded to a suite.  Of course, we did not mind.  However, compared to the Hyatt Place, well it does not compare.  There was a couch in the room, but no light over or next to the couch, so reading while sitting on the couch was not going to happen.  Also, whomever installed the toilet paper holder must have had either a sense of humor or VERY long arms.

We rested before meeting Ethel and Steve at the Texas Outlaw BBQ, walking distance for all of us from our respective hotels.  Everyone had ribs but me - I had pulled pork and chicken.  We sat for awhile and talked but there were people waiting for tables so we left.

On the Road

Answered student questions and had breakfast.  Meanwhile, we were doing linens and then towels.

Left the house at 8:36 a.m.!!!!  Earlier than we had planned.

I-75 all the way.

Lunch at Chick- a -fil.  My first time - it was just okay.

Dinner at Carrabba's walking distance from the hotel.  Terry and I shared a salad, a dinner and a dessert!  Perfect.

Boo-Hoo

We worked and had a little breakfast.  Terry spoke to her doctor's office and went to pick up a prescription at Walmart, while I waited for the cleaning crew.

Four ladies came into the house and took it by storm.  We had our big suitcases out in the garage so they could vacuum the closet floors.

What do you do while your house has four people in it - sit on the front porch.

We had some lunch and then I relaxed while Terry cleaned out the refrigerator (leaving food for breakfast)

We picked up Arlene and Joan and went to Cheng's for dinner.  Terry and I shared a dinner, with extra soup and egg roll.  Arlene and Joan did the same.  Delicious. 

They came back to the house so Joan could get some of our left-over coffee for her breakfast. 

We spoke with Ethel and set a date for the five of us to play mah jongg when we get back into town.  

We are sad to be leaving - hence the boo-hoo.  Packed up the trunk (everything fit).  Will put our hotel suitcases in the car tomorrow and we will be off.

Did I say boo-hoo!!!!