Columbia Heights Day

So we had a great day on Saturday exploring our neighborhood. We live on the border of Mt. Pleasant and Columbia Heights so we figured it was our day too. It was a hot day, there is no other kind here, and there was lots of cool stuff. Here are the highlights:
1. There is a club called the Roller Girls of DC. How much will you all pay me to join?
2. There was a county fair including pie, cupcake, jam and pickles contests.
3. There was a dog show.
4. Our bank manager was there and actually remembered our names... that so wouldn't happen in TO.

Yesterday was all about exploring DC on our bikes. There are incredible bike trails here that go on for miles. One minute you're in DC, the next in MD, and after that VA. I leave you all to figure out the states I'm referring to. I am still loving our apartment but a 4-story walk-up with your bike after a three hour ride? Seriously...

Today was again all about shopping for MARCIUS. He still need some last minute work clothes for his new job that starts tomorrow! Went to an amazing outlet mall with excellent stores such as:
1. Le Crueset
2. Pottery Barn
3. William Sonoma
4. Crate and Barrell
Then we went to Tyson's corner...the biggest mall around and it had such excellent stores as:
1. Bloomingdales
2. Nordstrom
3. Macy's
4. Lord & Taylor
5. West Elm

So when are you all coming for a shopping trip????

Back to School Shopping

Today we discovered suburbia. We went to Potomac Mills Outlet Mall in Virginia...It is just like Vaughan Mills only bigger. There are 200 outlet stores. My new favorite is Nordstrom Rack. What I really learned today is that Back to School Shopping is only fun when you are shopping for yourself. I got nothing and Marcius got lots. I got lunch and a coffee and bought gas. He got a new bag, wallet, shirts, and ties. We also hit Ikea, again, and still have lots of decisions to make. The only rooms that I'm really happy with in our new apartment are the bathroom, which got a bench today, and the guest room/office - so come and visit!

To follow-up with the garberator story...yes it is fixed and yes it still freaks me out. However I have learned that garberater is actually spelled garburator / garbarator (Canada). Who knew?

Another anomaly is that every night right at sunset there is a chorus of bugs that sings until the sun is all the way down. Explanation?

Garberator?

So in the USA they have garbage disposals / garberators....like either of us knows how to work it. Regardless, ours doesn't work. Did we unknowingly break it? - Possibly...but we don't think so. My sink is very slowly draining water and has leftover dish gunk in the bottom. Landlord is on the case - his first real test now that we've given back the keys to the spare apartment.

Feeling some successes lately....
1. Used the gym pool! I said thank you to the lifeguard and she said "you're welcome"...there is something so wrong with "uh...huh".  Oh! I also used 6 towels because they were free.
2. Got a DC library card....all you need is any piece of ID and a lease. They have every TV show on DVD.

My Favo(u)rite New Purchase

3. Got a DC cell number - it's starts with 202 - I think they have a cell number here like 647 but I didn't have to get one. Hooray!
4. Bought towels to match by awesome shower curtain purchased at Neat on Queen St. W in Toronto.
5. Ate a delicious, yet over priced hamburger at BGR.
6. Subscribed to the Washington Post
7. Found my coffee grinder and Bodum...life is good again.

Some disappointments.
1. The Metro is really low underground and the escalators don't always work.
2. It took 35 minutes to find my coffee maker.

But seriously....a garberator? Hopefully my sink is drained by morning or else it is dishes in the bathtub.

Secret Shopper

Our second official day in DC was a bit of a dud because we thought our stuff would arrive on Monday, so we sat around on our air mattress and waited.....oh well...We finally got a call that said they would come on Tuesday.

So...we started to make inquiries about getting things done. (Social Security, Cell Phones, Internet, Banking etc.)

Late afternoon we went to Washington Sports Clubs (WSC) and met with a membership rep. The gym is beautiful, lots of TVs, a swimming pool, free towel service and some Joe-average looking people. I was sold. I asked all the right questions about cancelling, fees, lockers, safety etc. Once I'd handed over my credit card (which is all we seem to be doing lately), our rep giggled and sighed...she had been convinced that I was a secret shopper. She'd never had anyone ask so many questions before....a future career?

Alas....I am a dependent alien....no work for me. Too bad.

We're here!

Let me give a brief account of the last few days.

An Empty 14 Watford

We got up at 5AM Sunday, said good-bye to "hotel-Jean", (my Mom's place), and went back to our old place to pack up the car. Said farewell to the 14 Watford homestead and hit the road. I have so many good memories of that apartment and of that block. MJ anyone?
Customs was no big deal so the "sea-moss" and a few other "spices" made it across.
We arrived at our new place in DC and man it is huge!!! (Pics to follow...) Our landlord is the nicest man on the planet and offered us a vacant furnished apartment for the night (with cable and AC)...but no... our first night was all about sleeping in our new home, even if it was on an air mattress. It took a really long time to pump up...I guess someone should have told me you have to close the valve...****!

Thanks to all of you for our terrific send off!

That first night we also discovered what I am sure will be our favourite take-out (or carry-out as they say here), Chipotle...I think we...I mean you... have them in TO now. Excellent burritos! Or maybe we were just REALLY hungry and tired.