Spontaneous D.C. for Raya's birthday!

So. . . . .lucky me!  Arlene volunteered to watch the dogs and I decided within six hours of the okay to head for D.C.  The weather was 40 degrees warmer, it had been a long time since I'd been in D.C. and I was ready to be away from Mpls. for awhile - been crazy busy at the sales and NINE was rather depressing.  Good decision.  Raya was super surprised.  Got to go to a wonderful jazz club for some fine music, and then to a lovely crab dinner at a neighbor's home.  Dennis made some great cauliflower soup and Marnie made pasta for Raya's birthday dinner.  Plus we got to spend the day at Dave & Buster's playing arcade games!!  Skee-ball and motorcycle simulators tied for best games.  Loud, noisy, casino type atmosphere was not everybody's favorite (including Raya) but we persevered and had fun despite the complications!!  Marnie made a great hamster cake and I taught Raya Farkle.  Lots of presents, champagne, and good conversation.  What more could one ask for?