Arlington National Cemetery

I've just got back from Washington D.C and I'm on the vapours of jet lag still , it will be a holiday that I will always remember. One of the trips out we took whilst in Washington D.C was to Arlington Cemetert which might strike you as a jolly odd day out but it is no different to visiting a war memorial. The surroundings demand your upmost quiet, honour and respect and it is a time for remembering and reflection.

If you have children with you , you might not want to get off the tour bus that takes around 45 minutes to visit the various stops within the Cemetary, but it is a Cemetary that receives 25 funerals a day so some stops will be affected . However if you wish to see everything then it is going to take a few hours and you can only drink water ~ there is no eating or soft drinks allowed.

Arlington National Cemetery is located on a parcel of land that once belonged to George Washington 's adopted son, George Washington Parke Custid. In 1868, Custis left the property to his daughter Mary Anna Randolph Custis and it became the family home for her and her husband Robert E Lee.

Many years later, the grounds were used for various purposes, including serving as a camp and headquarters for Federal Troops during the Civil War and later providing a safe haven for skates transitioning to freedom. Arlington National Cemetery held its first military burial on May 13, 1864.

Today the property is the final resting place for more than 400,000 active duty service members , veterans and their families. It is a place of honour and one that doesn't glorify war in the slightest.

Notable graves include where John F. Kennedy and his family are buried in the Kennedy Family Gravesite.

You can witness the changing of the guard at the Tomb Of the Unknown soldier.

There are many memorials to see including Space shuttle challenger and Columbia , my son will be studying history at A level so I feel it's important to see as much as possible before he goes back to school.

The Radio Stages Of Life

I think everyone goes through the radio stages of life.

From the 80's taping of the top 40 making sure you didn't get the talking , it required ninja skills. Ninja skills I hasten to add I still have to this day , except now it's stopping the washing up bowl over flowing. Also remembering that the oven isn't the dishwasher and weetabix and milk don't go on a dinner plate.

From then radio is between radio 1 and the local station ( who have quizzes and looooooove hour) 

Then something happens between you getting married and having children the progression it seems to radio 2 where you now find the Radio 1 presenters of old. There of course is the odd milk drunk year of classic fm during the night then the CDs take over " the wheels on the bus goooooooo"

Then local / sports radio appears as your husband and son must hear the football score.

The swing back to radio 1 comes back all to soon and when you hear the dance tunes from Ibiza are part of the classical proms then you have resigned yourself full circle.

This is not counting your husband listening to Absolute 80's 

Budget Bellini

"I get no kicks from champagne "

Champagne and I don't seem to get along , I don't really seem to get the thrill of the taste from it. This is obviously why that I'm not cut out for the celebrity life style.

When I went to a craft event some weeks ago I was offered a Bellini to drink which I was surprised to learn was peach  purée and champagne , hurrah perhaps the celebrity lifestyle was in my grasp after all !!

1. Pour peach puree into a champagne flute; add champagne. Garnish with a slice of peach.( if you wish )
   
   I used instead of champagne sparkling strawberry Lambrini.
   Disclosure ~ I shall not let my new celebrity status change me. I hereby promise my derrière shall not break the Internet.
   

Photo Sunday

Rollie And My Holiday

"Well the human bean has only been away and left me in a luxury hotel for a week whilst they swanned around in Washington D.C no doubt they were spamming you with pictures whilst they were away. I the Ninja (evil) one had a stay at a luxury result which was a cat hotel I kid you not with a garden view and a view of a goldfish pond ( what torment is that) My companion was the black cat called Jack , we both should be sitting on the window sill together but after spending a week together we are craving our own space.


Jack is currently sitting where I told him to sit , which is on the nicely laundered holiday clothes  ~ full marks to that cat , and true to form it is the light coloured clothing!



The actual cattery where I stayed was actually constructed out of the same material you would see in a conservatory only this had a castle bed * luckily our pen did not have a princess castle bed . They also played music at us , I cannot tell you how much I dislike One direction , you see I am more much of a Classic Fm cat.

Of course for every action there is a reaction ~ you leave us in a cattery then we will sing at the front door despite having a cat flap and yes we will do this at 11 pm at night * insert huge cat grin! For now I can going to stare into the middle distance and think about the motivational quotes I can add to my future pictures that are taken of me."

Trendy stare into the distance

The lovely people over at Everest are having a competition which is all about pets at windows sills.

There of course is a hashtag to accompany this campaign.

#PetsInWindows

I'd love it if you popped over and entered. Everest will give £5 to the RSPCA (registered charity number 219099) for everyone that enters, up to a maximum of £5,000. You can enter online here  or using the hashtag #petsinwindows via twitter.

Disclosure ~ I am being compensated for this post , also I am having to buy Rollie a new radio , so he can listen to Classic Fm .Jack will be compensated with a new brush to keep that blooming cat hair down and off my nice clean washing.

You can follow Everest Home Improvements on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date on their latest deals and offers, and should also check out their top quality double glazing.