Hello all from the Sheraton Premier at Tyson's Corner. Today was a rest day for Megan and I. April got started immediately from the airport. Turns out that the activites started at 7 and by the time she got to the hotel she only had time to change, grab something to eat and then immediately to meetings. She called me at midnight - they had just been let out. They were to start again at 7 am.

Well it turns out that both Megan and I were awake at 7:30 and we should have stayed up but since we were on vacation, we slept in. I managed to turn off the radio and alarm which I set up the night before. Weird thing, when I set up the alarm, the wake up was set to radio which had a station on it and was playing music. But when the alarm went off, it was just dead air space. So I blame the radio to getting up at 12:30. That was me and I forced Megan to get up. We left the hotel using the shuttle bus they have for transportation. We got to Tyson's Corner shopping mall and discovered that they had over 300 stores! Shopping heaven for me. Turns out that we got there around 2 and Megan said at 4 pm. We will have to come back here again since the mall closes at 6 pm (according to the hotel lobby desk) turns out we did have enough time.

Also turns out we hit the semi-annual shoe sale at Nordy. We had a ball. Between the two of us, we managed to snag 7 pairs of shoes for $221. Two pairs were Born shoes which I've always wanted to try but haven't been able to afford. Thanks to my new favorite store - I got 2 which are awesome! I'm in love, move over Me Too! I got a new favorite - for now.

Anyway, we walked the whole mall, we didn't get to casually peruse everything but its a good thing we didn't else I might have broke Steve. We went to White House, Black Market, got some awesome stuff, and Aeropostale which is really running a fantastic clearance sale on sweats. We hit American Eagle and got some wonderfull over the shoulder type bags which I intend to use here as I feel a bit more secure here than a handle purse - one can never be too sure.

Well, on the way to get our shuttle back to the hotel, we managed to stop by a store which had my Dermalogica products which my spa back home can't seem to keep in stock. Anyway, Megan saw a cute Juicy Couture bathing suit - reminiscent of an Ester Williams suit so I got that one for her upcoming birthday. I liked it so much - I wanted one but was afraid that I would get laughed at. LOL

Well, while we waited to get the shuttle bus, I just called the hotel where I was told that it was on its way - I have to say, I have never used a shuttle bus at a hotel before and I think that it is not 1/2 bad. I don't have to drive anywhere - which I am a nervous driver in an area I am not familiar with and found out that they have a shuttle bus which may takes us to the West Falls Metro Station. So I got a lot of useful information. Guess I better find out what else the concierge may be able to do for us.

Well, we get back to the hotel about 8:45 and instead of getting back out we decided to order Dominoes Pizza delivered. I'm sure we got quite a few looks when we walked down to pick it up but I don't think I could stomach another dinner at the hotel back to back. I liked the food but I don't want to spend all my money in one place.

April called me, she was in a meeting at 9 but we met in the bathroom - kinda felt like we were doing something we were not supposed to be doing - you know like sneaking a cigarette in the bathroom? I thought she was going to be happy to see me but instead, she only wanted money. I was a bit disappointed but I managed to sneak in a kiss. I feel better now about telling her that we will be moving into town to be nearer to the sights. We shall see tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be the telling tale. We get to try out the transportation and gauge how long it takes to travel into town. Lord, I am a bit worried. I hope all goes well and nothing or no one attacks us. I know I sound like a worrywort but in LA - it is probably not a good idea for single women to take a metro or subway especially alone at night. I have heard only good things about the metro here and I've researched a lot as long as carrying a map I bought from Borders. I used the same map company for getting around Barcelona and Rome it was pretty true. The map I used is made by the Streetwise Maps, Inc. based out of Sarasota, FL. They make many maps of all locations, I've got one for central Paris which familiarized me to Paris and made me feel like I could manuver comfortably.

Well, tonight was nice, I am sitting here looking at my bags and I am definitely going to be using that 2nd suitcase. LOL

Steve told me to not plan anything to play things by ear as I seem to stress less when I play it by ear and I think I may listen to him. There are things I want to definitely see so I think I am going to get off here and make a list and plan on hitting them sometime within the next 9 days. Still have decided if I really want to trek down to Williamsburg. I'd like too but really the thought of driving - I'm feeling kinda lazy you know?

Ok folks, getting off - the princess has texted me - she needs something. I should have realized that when I was "elected" to accompany her highness to DC that I was at her beck and call. SIGH! I think I know how Steve must feel right about now! Just Kidding - I am not that bad. ROTFL.

Stay tuned tomorrow to hear how we fared on our first metro trip into DC. Keep a prayer out for me folks, fingers crossed or whatever else you can cross. I always worried that my kids would get themselves into scrapes but so far this year, I think its me who's been getting into scrapes and situations only I could get myself into. I sincerely hope that the girls don't inherit this ability! LOL - although I don't have to worry about finding a solution if something happens to me - Megan assured me that if anything happened to me and I was incapsicated, she would make a phone call and get things taken care off. At least she knows who to call. There's hope for that girl yet!

OK all - later gators!