Washington DC trip

We had a wonderful visit in Washington this past weekend with three of the five grandkids. So, in the past two weeks, I got to see them all!

We stayed with my sister Suzanne and brother-in-law Fritz. Some people are great hosts and some houses great destinations, and they have it all. In fact, I have stayed over the years with them so often that I feel quite at home in my cozy front bedroom. They own a Sear's house in "lower" Chevy Chase (the non-snobby, slightly overgrown and decadently luxurious part) in NW Washington. A Sear's house was one that was ordered from a catalogue and delivered with every piece and part to be assembled on site. The house has the charm of old and the conveniences of the remodeling they have done. Fritz's backyard waterfall is the cherry on the sundae. We really enjoyed spending time with them.

Harry's ex-wife, Susan organized grandkids' Daniel and Stephanie's visit from Brazil. Jezebel, Matt and their baby Jenavieve came from Albuquerque. Jezebel's sister Lexie came down from NYC and Susan's partner, Steve, rounded out the group. We even got to visit with cousin Judy Caplan, her husband Dean and her terrific kids, Anna and Aaron.

Our first full day was spent doing the tourist thing and we had a great time seeing the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial (still brings me to tears), the new WWII Memorial (did not impress me), the White House, National Monument and having lunch in the Old Ebbit Grille. We ran up to the top of the Washington Hotel also which looks into the White House windows but I didn't see Obama since he was talking to the Pope.

Next day was a visit to Mt. Vernon and Alexandria. I was especially happy to see the tree under which Doug Urich's (my son Matt's dad) ashes were scattered looking healthy and vibrant overlooking the bucolic scene of the Potomac River. In fact, a bald eagle decided to fly over while viewing the tree making me wonder a bit about reincarnation...

We finished the day in Alexandria at the Chart House restaurant having famous Chesapeke Crab Cakes. Alexandria is quintessential brick, Georgian, old and quaint. Reminded me of Miami U., my Alma mater (and half my family's).

Our final day was a rush downtown to Union Station for a last visit with the kids. And, what great kids they are! Daniel and Stephanie are sweet, lovely teenagers. Kudos to Monica, their mom, who is also beautiful and sweet inside and out. No grotesque piercings or tattoos (that I could see), or rebellious attitudes. They seemed happy to be with family and both can understand English very well, with Daniel speaking more easily and being a very protective big brother to his beautiful little sister. A great surprise was Daniel telling us he wants to come to the US for college in a year and a half and we couldn't be more excited. Jenavieve, the youngest grandchild, is six months, and perhaps the most easy baby I have been around in a while. What a trooper - she was dangling from her perch in her Baby Born and not a complaint. And the ready smiles! Wow. She reminds me so much of her Uncle Sam as a baby. Looks just like him from the mouth up. Smile and chin are her handsome Dad's. I got lots of cuddle time.

Susan and Steve were great organizers and company and how lucky are we to be able to spend time as a large, extended family! I heard the comment from both Harry and Susan - that losing Douglas let us gain two fantastic grandchildren. The barriers that were created out of his mental illness are down, and we can all just get to know each other and move forward in relationships. Just wish he could have been a part of the scene.

Three Strikes You're Out

I just returned yesterday from my visit "up north" to attend Ruby Kate's first birthday. It was a very busy, and emotional visit. The first half, with Matt, Megan, Jack and Ruby was just fun. I helped Megan with the party, and the next day we headed up to Marblehead on Lake Erie to Megan's family's place. There was the usual large group of family and neighbors to visit with and we also took the boat over to Kelley's Island for dinner. The second half of the trip to Cleveland was a whirlwind of trying to visit friends and I was able to get in a golf game with my sister. But there were a lot of emotional issues to deal with. Friends seem to be various stages of difficulties, whether physical or mental health wise. What is going on? The sun needs to get in the seventh house and Jupiter needs to align with Mars. Pronto! I stayed at my friend Peggy's house, and that was just plain enjoyable and she kept me bolstered up during the visit. Thank you Maggie.

Today was a back to work day and we walked in the motel at 8 to find the back office window open - and then it occured to us to look at the cash box. Sure enough, for the third time in maybe a month, we were wiped out. This time wasn't so bad as there had been a drop to the safe last night - only several hundred missing. But, this is adding up! Add to that the expense of installing four security cameras after the last such robbery. We backtracked the tapes to 3:24 am and there was the culprit - but unfortunately they must have known exactly what to do as they were dressed in a bulky coat, gloves, hat and "dew rag" to hide hair. And, they knew where the cameras were to avoid looking at it. Drat! Sam has put it on tape so we can study it a bit. Police were called, report given, locks changed (again) and this time, we fired an employee!

I think the fact that her (the employee's) boyfriend is on parole for theft (of her daughter's jewelry!) may have made us uncomfortable. Or the fact that she has been having visitors at work in the back office during her evening shift according to other staff that have happened to stop by. Or that her boyfriend's friends were the ones who trashed a room we gave them at a discount and he didn't compensate us and later we found out that they were just out of jail and having a crack and ho party. Or that last month she went over the phone allowance for her cell phone provided by us for late night check-ins by $187. That's it. Three strikes, you are out.

I liked Yvette. And, as my brother's friend Beaver says, "just because you're a loser doesn't make you a bad person." But she needs to do some serious looking at her world.

Oh, yeah, when I got the cell phone back from her before she left the premises, she forgot to delete a saved voicemail from her probation officer. DUH! I think background checks on new hires are the rule of thumb from now on.