A Special Invitation

Once again I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. On Monday I've been invited to attend the White House Holiday Pinterest Party in Washington, D.C. I'll be tweeting, instagramming, and of course pinning the White House Holiday decorations.

I would like to invite you to follow me on Pinterest. I have a special board set up where I'm pinning all sorts of cool Christmas images from holiday's past, and check in on Monday to see my special live pin board.

Where does an Elf get his inspiration?

Apparently a horde of secret, slightly creepy, Elves have been hiding out in the North Pole.  However in the past couple of years they have decided to take advantage of American free enterprise and have put themselves up for adoption at some fine adoption agencies such as Target and Pottery Barn Kids.  One of the little dudes ended up at our house this year, and was given the name "Magical".

My youngest thinks he's brilliant, but just between you and me I think he get's a lot of inspiration from Pinterest. Check out my Pinterest inspiration board that you can share with your Elf this year.

Look who was on the side of the road

Recognize him? One of my favorite actors, filming something (a PSA?) near one of the launchpads at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Luke Wilson. 

RECAP: Day 1 - NASA Social Atlantis

NASA is definitely OPEN for business in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The development of the new Orion capsule and Space Launch System as well as active programs for commercial transport of astronauts to low earth orbit mean that KSC is a hub of activity.

Yesterday the NASA Social group toured the facilities and received updates from NASA leaders on all the changes and developments. We continue today with the rollover of Space Shuttle Atlantis into it's beautiful new home at Kennedy Space Center. I hope you enjoy a few highlights from yesterday.

Please be sure to follow me on twitter @rusewcrazy and instagram @rusewcrazy for more updates throughout the day.

Also, for some really cool 360 degree views please see my Occipital 360 Panorama page - http://occipital.com/user/89d3-662758/aimee-gravelle 

Lots of photos below, I apologize they aren't in any great order. Please holler at me if you have ANY questions either about my experience or what is happening at NASA. I will be more than happy to try to get those answered for you.

John McBride and Bob Crippen. NASA astronauts. They were outside the NASA admin building while we were waiting for our hard hat tours of Atlantis' new home.

Joe Oppold leading my group on the new home for Atlantis, currently under construction now with a target opening of July 4, 2013.

Mr. Oppold explaining the exterior finish of the structure.

This is looking inside the building where Atlantis will be rolled in on November 2nd. It will be tilted at a 43.21 degree angle as if in flight. Once secure inside, a wall will be built to fully enclose the space shuttle.

The exterior of the main facade. The "swoosh" will be covered with a copper material which will change color depending on the time of day. It is designed to mimic the color of Atlantis as it goes through reentry into the atmosphere of the Earth.

A sample of the copper material to be used on the facade "swoosh". The upper portion of the facade will have tiles representing those found on the shuttle.

Jason Townsend of NASA leading roll call on the bus. Bueller, Bueller.

The NASA news center. It's a lot smaller than it seems on TV.

Launch pad (either 39-A or B, I will verify). Remains in shuttle configuration. NASA working with partners who may share this space for commercial use.

Bob Crippen.

A piece of space-flown material received in our swag bag. Pays to be a NASA Social participant!

The VAB - Vehicle Assembly Building. Holy Grail for space geeks.

Jules Schneider of Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin built a facility onsite to facilitate the construction of the Orion Capsule.

The famous countdown clock, located outside the Press center.

Angela Brewer, flow manager for the Atlantis program. Everyone at NASA is committed and friendly and she's a perfect example. She got a little emotional discussing the loyalty of the NASA staff let go at the end of the shuttle program.

ME on the hard hat tour. Yay! :)

Yes, yes it is. One of my favorite actors was filming near the launch pad. LUKE WILSON.

Press Room.

Where visitors will enter to see Atlantis.

There she is, Space Shuttle Atlantis. One of the last photos that will be taken of her inside the VAB as tomorrow she moves out into her forever home. 

It's NASA Social Time

Good morning all! It's a gorgeous day on the East Coast of Florida and in a few minutes I'll be heading over to the Kennedy Space Center. The Atlantis NASA Social group today is going to be super-busy getting up to speed on all things NASA today as we prepare for the rollover of Atlantis tomorrow. I hope you will join me on Twitter (@rusewcrazy) and Instagram (@rusewcrazy) and I share pictures and stories.