Day 1147

Mom went all out this year for Christmas! She and Marissa decorated the house beautifully, and all our Christmas meals were so, so yummy! Everything was so great, I'm not sure what I would choose as the highlight...maybe Christmas night, when we feasted on steak and lobster and chocolate bread pudding, played a very competitive few rounds of BINGO, and finished the night with The Hangover. Good Christmas night.

When we were little, it seemed like we had a Christmas tree in every room of the house, but in recent years, the house (and we) just didn't have the Christmas spirit in us like in years past. This year seems to have changed for the better though, and there were smiles, laughs and Christmas happiness back in the Blair house once again.

Below are pictures of all the Christmas decorations...the house was just beautiful!



















Marissa and Rooster



Opening presents











Lindann and Neil's house looked so beautiful too!










I am starting my own collections to build on year after year, but have a ways to go on both my big tree and my Santa tree & collection. I also definitely need a Nativity scene and beautiful skirt to put under my tree...just isn't complete in my eyes without the two.

Here's what I finally ended up with, just in time to leave town and then take it down when I get back to Washington. At least I have pictures of my first Christmas in my first owned home.





Hope everyone else had a great of Christmas as my family and I did!

Day 1144

It's that time of year again...time for the Griswold Family Christmas Party. This being my first year ever to attend, I had to go all out and win the coveted trophy! And I was victorious! Enjoy the pictures, and have a very Merry Christmas to all my Christian friends!

Day 1140

I am now living through "The Blizzard of 2009"!

Holy cow there is a lot of snow outside! I spent most of my snow day indoors, doing laundry, cleaning, wrapping presents, starting to pack (and my guilty pleasure of the day--watching my Sunday morning political news shows)...all things I haven't have any time to do in the last three weeks. Not the snow days of my past, that's for sure. Another true sign I am indeed a thirty year old.

The only time spent outside today was attempting to dig my car out of the snow. Success? Um, not so much. Pretty freaking hilarious though, I'm sure, if you were watching me. You know, I'd like to consider myself a pretty independent woman. Need help drilling in my curtain rods? Nope, I got it. Lifting and putting together furniture? No sweat, I've got it done. But shoveling my car out of snow? Yes please...for sure one of those moments when I wished I had a handy man around.

See for yourself.



Approaching my car.



Half way through...just so you can see just how much snow had fallen on my roof.



Yes, that is me shooting down. I am standing up to my thighs in snow.

And of course, right after I took this, I stepped back and completely busted my ass. Two feet of snow cushioned my fall though, but I literally looked like a turtle turned on her back. Arms and legs were flailing, and I had to roll onto my stomach and crawl around to find something to grip onto (the bumper of my car) to grab onto and pull myself up. And yes, I did do this again four more times while out there. People must have thought I was a lunatic because I was buried in the snow belly laughing at myself. The frostbite must have set in by then.








See? I was not exaggerating by this snowfall people!

Tomorrow night I have to work overnight again, so hopefully I'll be able to dig the rest of it out tomorrow. Then maybe take advantage of some day time off and go sledding. Yes, by myself. 'Cause that's how us independent women roll! Yes, it's sad. I'm very aware.

Day 1139

Wow. Even I had no idea how truly amazing this snowfall was going to be! So, I started the day at 5:30 AM...the Senate voted very, very early this morning and I was on call today. This is what the Capitol looked like when I first walked into work:



Come midday, the votes were over, and I was running around the Capitol at stakeouts and pressers. By this time, the winter snow storm had turned into a full blown blizzard!



Typically from this view from the balcony, you can see all the way to the Washington Monument. Today, you could barely see the West Lawn.



Watching people make snow angels and sled on the North Front made me throw a bit of a pity party for myself. I wanted to play in the snow too!

Shortly after these photos were taken, the storm really picked up. Buses and metro shut down, and Mayor Fenty even called the city into emergency mode, urging citizens to stay home no matter what.

That is, except for the Senate, who carried on their work. I finally left for the day at 6:30 PM and I literally had to dig myself out of the Capitol to get to my ride. But seriously, it is so, so beautiful! I have never seen this much snow in my entire life, and I couldn't have been happier being outside, by myself, wondering around the Capitol grounds taking photographs and eating snowflakes.









Also today, my friend Beth and I had a bit of fun at work. Enjoy my Christmas present to my Senate friends!

Twas the Night Before Passage, by Shawna Blair and Beth Crowley

Twas the weekend before Christmas and all through the Chamber
Leadership lined up votes. Will it pass? A cliffhanger!
Press Conferences, calls and amendments to be read
"Let’s finish before Christmas!" Senator Reid nearly pled.

The weary Senate staffers all wished for their beds,
“Convene before 7:00? They’ve all lost their heads!”
Reporters stumbled in, too blurry-eyed to type.
And maybe for some (Stanton), they’ve just finished out their night.

The pages brought water, clerks marked nay and yay
And then began more reading…this will take all day!
Changes and tweaks, and whole new subsections
Dispense with the reading? Republican objections!

When out in the hall there arose such a clatter,
The Ohio Clock Corridor was the scene of the chatter.
So down to the second floor, we flew in a flash
To hear the breaking news (by our own Dana Bash):

At the crack of dawn, in the midst of a blizzard
Ben Nelson said yes! – Is Harry a wizard?
In front of the mikes, the Dems were a-glowing
(But if you’re so good, why is it still snowing?)

"Now Lincoln! Now Landrieu! Now Pryor and Baucus!
Now Schumer! Now Nelson! The whole Democrat Caucus!
To the White House to sign! The President, we’ll call!
Now Health Care! Health Care! Health Care for all!"

Then reporters raised questions as the blizzard was ending
“Will Snowe be on board?” That answer still pending.
“What about your quest for a bi-partisan bill?”
Says Reid, “We’ve got 60, majority wins on the Hill!”

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the lawn
A victory cheer…I think that was Rahm!
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
Through the carriage entrance, the White House Press Pool bound.

Those Press Gallery ladies, now don’t you all love us?
Gave a “Heads up, the President’s among us!”
So crowded around were our very best scribes
Awaiting to hear what our Leader cries!

He was dressed in his suit, with a grin ear to ear,
“Folks…it’s been a hell of a year,
But I knew all along, Reid & Co. had my back
And after months of debating, we’re finally on track.”

His eyes-how they twinkled! His dimples how charming!
(Though Secret Service behind him, always a bit alarming).
He gave the press a thumbs up and patted Reid on his back
The stake-out was smitten, (liberal bias is a fact?)

He took not a question, but went straight to his lines,
And filled filing deadlines and made new headlines.
Then one more thumbs up and he turned on his toes
And following him out, the reporters all rose.

He sprang to his motorcade, his detail gave a sign,
And away they all flew, to Hawaii on our dime.
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”