National Zoo

 So Taylor and I decided to go check out the Zoo.  We had planned it for another day but it was too cold so once the temp kicked up a bit we headed out.  While we were waiting for the metro he got a call from Starbucks saying they want him to come in for a job so that was GREAT news!  He's going to New York next week to visit a friend and will start the day he gets back.

 Apparently, even though the weather was pleasant enough for us, it was not so for the animals.  Too cold, the signs said.  Hardly anyone was out.  We saw the otters......

 a fake bear.....

 an elephant......

 turtles......

 and a fake elephant to get the day started.

 Loved the indoor Amazon exhibit because there were little monkeys just sitting on branches above our heads, it was lush and green, AND it was warm.

 Finally!  The lions were out so we felt like we were at a real zoo!

One tiger as well but he was more interested in hanging out at the feeding door more than anything.  Just stood there growling at it between sips of water.

 Okay, so this was my favorite thing.  The Think Tank!  It's a building that's set aside for studying the orangutans and I'm sure in the summer, this place must be a nightmare with crowds.  But on a cold Feb. day we were able to pull up a chair and just watch these three interact.  So funny!

 Sometimes they were happy to have people watching them but then they'd get tired of being on display and hide under these sheets.  They'd bunch up some of the hay and make a comfy spot before getting all cozy and private.  There was a also a tug of war rope you could compete against them with, but none were interested in playing.  These towers rope connect to another orangutan house so if they get bored with one place they can swing across the zoo over to the other.  Wondered what it would be like to walking across the zoo and suddenly have them swinging over the top of us!  Will definitely come back here!

 It was also Mardi Gras so the restaurants in the neighborhood were getting gussied up!  It's a little jaunt to get to the zoo from the Metro and the zoo itself is very hilly so we were very ready to sit and rest our feet once we headed home.

Chinese New Year

 Sunday afternoon was the Chinese New Year parade in Chinatown.  Apparently Chinatown in DC has shrunk considerably since it's hey day.  In fact, it's like a block, and seems to have more americanized restaurants and stores than not.  We pulled Taylor's arm and convinced him to go a long with us. Ultimately the cold, the crowd and my hatred of said crowd and claustrophobia made for a grumpy mom so I was a very ready to walk several blocks to avoid the festivities and hop the Metro to get out of there!

 I have to say that some of these masks were kind of creepy.

National Museum of American History

We had a Saturday afternoon with nothing going on so took off to hit one of the museums. It was a bit chilly out so it was nice to duck into someplace warm.  We were waiting for Taylor's friend to call him (they were hooking up to go to one of the art museums) but we got a good hour in before his call.

 The counter from the Greensboro Woolworth's where 4 black men were refused service.

These don't need any explanation

                             I can't even remember what section this was in but I loved it!

 They had a small stage area where they were showing old clips from USO shows.  I need to go back there by myself and just settle in to enjoy them all!

We didn't have nearly enough time to see everything so the whole museum deserves another visit.  One of the most amazing things is the original Star Spangled Banner that inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem.  No photos allowed; but it's behind glass, barely lit and breath taking to see.

We talked Taylor and his friend Logan into letting us buy them dinner at The American Indian Museum because I'd read they have the best food of all the Smithsonian's. They did have all kinds of different offerings from varying tribes and areas but MAN was it expensive!  We all got what they called an Indian taco (like Navajo tacos in Utah but about half the size) and a drink with the bill coming to $60!!!.  Sheesh.  I guess this is why the museums are free...so we can have some cash left to eat.

The boys had already seen this museum so they headed off but Tom and I stayed.  Have to say I was a little disappointed.  There wasn't a logical path or a historical story....just, I don't know....a mish mash of Indian stuff.  Guess we should go back and take a tour but even the small bit we heard from one of the guides (we weasel our way into groups sometimes) wasn't that interesting.

We're Official!

 We are used to having a big Superbowl shindig at my brother Jeff's house so when it is just the three of us (one of whom could care less about football) the day takes on a different tone.  After church I fixed our munchies/dinner trying to stick with the healthy eating plan.  Baked corn chips made from tortillas, guac, tacos filled with seasoned whole wheat rice, black beans and toppings...including vegan cheese.  Taylor got real sour cream, Tom & I got greek yogurt.  It was all good though!

Got a chance to Skype with the family back home when the power went out at the ballgame and we had some free time to check in and watch cute Nixon's face as he tries to figure out what the heck is gong on.

We never did have to change all our registration stuff out while we were in Alabama because it was a 10 month stint, but here, we knew we were going to have to do it.  We put it off as long as possible but our car registration came due so we had to move ahead.  DC DMV has a special Monday where they are closed except to new residents.  It was supposed to just take us 15 minutes but because we were missing something with our new address on it and social security #'s we had to make a trip back home. Fortunately it was only a couple of blocks away.  The car inspection process was really slick and I had done that earlier in about 20 minutes time.  Also, just up the street from us.  When we returned with needed paperwork it was time to have our eyes checked.  I read my 3 columns perfectly and then Tom read his 2 columns with great confidence.  Yep.  Two columns.  Couldn't even see the third column which was on the side of his eye that required surgery in AL.  We sat for 5 minutes while he turned his head this way and that, squinted, leaned....you name it, he tried to make it possible to see that third column.  After a few awkward minutes I told the guy behind the counter that Tom had recently had eye surgery and that's what was causing the trouble.  "He's still gotta be able to read that column" he said while trying not to roll his own eyes.  Finally, after what felt like forever, Tom mumbled some letters and the guy called it good.  He told me later he had to turn and read with the left eye because he couldn't see anything out of the right.  Um, that's not good.  Guess he'll be going back to the eye Dr. soon.

 Next, was updating our military ID's which were also expiring.  We headed over to Coast Guard Headquarters and the process was pretty easy but we also got a little tour while we were there.

Tom's been in the CG long enough that we know these people.  Have even attended functions at their homes.  He's planning on retiring from the reserves in the next year or so.  Of course, he's been saying that for several years and he's still there....so we'll see!

The Science Project

 So within days of Taylor's arrival he started talking about us saving our food scraps for composting.  Um, yeah, we live in a small apartment and though I have looked forward to the Spring when I can hopefully grow some veggies and herbs in containers....I haven't really considered composting.

Taylor said he had done the research and would be in charge.  So off we went and purchased these items along with a small container of worms to get started.

Holes in the bottom for moisture to drain and 1/3 full of soil, scraps and worms plus a bottle on top to add water.

Well, the first issue was the fact that I didn't want an entire crisper in the fridge dedicated to a plastic bag full of rotting scraps. And the fact that we're doing a veggie/fruit only diet means that there is PLENTY of scrap.  Secondly, once we put all those scraps in the bucket...there didn't seem to be enough worms to go through it. So we began searching the city for a place to buy more worms. Amazingly enough...worms don't seem to be a priority in Washington DC retail.  So Taylor found a worm farm online and within days his bag-o-worms arrived bringing 1,000 squirmy little friends to the bucket.

 Next problem.  This little project was originally in Taylor's closet where the worms could have dark and warmth.  However, once all the scraps were added....he didn't really like the smell in his room so he moved the whole process to the #1 bathroom.  Which was fine.....until the morning I walked in and found escaped worms on the floor.  Only a couple, but STILL.  After a few more adjustments, he decided he needed a better container.  So Tom got involved and after a visit to Home Depot they came home with this.....

It includes 2 Rubbermaid containers....one for drainage and one for housing our little worm community.  Some netting that will allow for breathing and drainage but hopefully preventing escaping.  Taylor is still making adjustments and I am still flipping the light and doing a quick scan of the bathroom floor before entering....but for now, we're a thriving little apartment of agriculture.