[Aquamarine]

[Aquamarine]

Good Morning everyone, I'll be filling in as hostess today. JohnHuang2 should be back with us next week (fingers crossed), in the meantime we can gawk at the Bling Blings. :)

[Eaker]

Cool theme!!

We visited the Smithsonian a few years ago. We only scheduled a full day.

Not enough time!

[DollyCali]

Woo Hoo! Lovely presentation Aqua! and a topic that I REALLY love. I have a pretty extensive collections of stones & minerals but mine are of the "pauper" variety.

The Smithsonian is a place I love to hang out & the "historic museum" with the gemstone & dinosouar exhibits is one of my favorite buildings. I think I have been to the Smithsonian about a dozen times. I poor weather I do museums in DC, in good weather I do the monuments.

Funny that over the years I have NEVER been to the White House. I always say: Next trip.. but it never happens.

and how can I NOT mention:

Happy Birthday
US Marine Corp!





Semper Fi!

[Hoodlum91]

BTW - there is a notice at the Smithsonian that these jewels belong to the citizens of the USA...and yet, they won't let me take one home.

[GodBlessUSA]

Excellent thread. Your pledge is so very lovely!

Diamonds are a girls best friend ;)

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

For Military Monday can you please add that Golden Corral's free feed for vets and active duty people is Monday November 14 from 5 to 9 pm.
Thanks

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Happy Birthday USMC!

050809-M-5900L-087 Mariam Range, Djibouti (Aug. 9, 2005) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Mathew G. Schultz assists Lance Cpl. Hakeem L. Pinkston, with firing a M-240G medium machine gun at the Mariam Range in Djibouti. Marines of the 26th MEU (SOC) are assisting the Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa, by providing humanitarian aid and training to the people susceptible to transnational terrorist influence. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Lowndes (RELEASED)

050719-N-3799S-005 Beaufort, S.C. (July 19, 2005) – An F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the “Marauders” of Strike Fighter Squadron Eight Two (VFA-82), climbs in altitude after departing Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, S.C., on a routine training mission. VFA-82 recently unveiled a new commemorative paintjob which was featured on the squadron’s aircraft during their first deployment in 1968 to Southeast Asia flying the A-7 Corsair II. VFA-82 is stationed on board MCAS Beaufort, S.C., and will be decommissioned on Sept. 30, 2005. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Perry Solomon (RELEASED)

050305-N-2984R-001 Persian Gulf (Mar. 5, 2005) - The pilot of an F/A-18A+ Hornet, assigned to the "Silver Eagles" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron One One Five (VMFA-115), conducts a check of his speed break prior to launch aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) is embarked aboard Truman and is providing close air support and conducting intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance over Iraq. The Truman Carrier Strike Group is on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Ricardo J. Reyes (RELEASED)

050628-N-8772M-003 Kauai, Hawaii (June 28, 2005) - A U.S. Marine assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 1st Marine Division, fires his M-16 rifle as he simulates a hostile combatant on the beaches of the Pacific Missile Range Facility, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. The 3rd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 1st Marine Division, is currently embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5). U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Johnny Michael (RELEASED)

[humblegunner]

Today we take an up close look at some of the rare and historic jewelry collection that's on display at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

And people ask me what that Guns-n-Roses belt buckle is for!
It's an investment, pure and simple.