what have I got myself into??

HA .... like I have any reason what-so-ever to complain ..... but I volunteered to work tomorrow morning (locally) and I am already thinking about how it means I can't stay in my PJs & be lazy on a rainy day :o(
BUT, it's only a few patients and I do know for a fact, it won't kill me!!!

hey ... I make a pretty good housewife ....

There was a time .... moons ago, when all the house chores we done by me. In fact there was a time when the house chores AND THE yard chores were mine as well. (it avoided nagging at the time). But when the Captain & I first moved in together, I wasn't working so OF COURSE I did the household chores because that was my job. By the time I started working, the Captain had taken over the dish duty (his choice). Eventually (after a move) we were in a small'ish place and with 2 full grown adults, there really wasn't much to keeping up with the chores. When we moved here (twice the size+), the Captain was gone so much of the time for work (til Dec 2009) that it was easy to keep things under control with minimal effort. Still isn't for the most part. BUT then again ... "the boys" don't always see everything that's dirty or cluttered. That's where I come in. (not often enough, but eventually). Between yesterday & today the hard woods got scrubbed & shined. It was a LOT of work (my wrists & shoulders can attest to that) but it does look good and I feel accomplished ! During that same time, I tackled the laundry, vacuuming, scrubbed a couple of outside door mats & did a tiny bit of spring cleaning. :o) I'm feeling pretty good about it all!! I celebrated with a half glass of Rhinehaussen. plusssssssss .... still on telephone standby for jury duty at this point- so I can make regular wages tomorrow (yay)

spring cleaning is like pulling teeth!

when I am trying to "spring clean" for Pops, it's limited, when I "spring clean" for myself it's difficult, when I "spring clean" for the Captain, it's like pulling teeth (without novocaine). anyway ... back to my own demons (and mental limitations). There are 2 magazines I have trouble tossing, passing on, recycling ... etc. this one & Coastal Living. SINCE my craft idea books & encyclopedias need a shelf instead of a drawer .....

too much to ponder .... to little time! (these days)

News of the Captain has hit the front page of a local newpaper. But not for reasons possibly feared of once upon a time by his parents!!! YUP- he was up front & center for pictures taken at our "graduation" a couple of weeks ago. Even though the photographer asked both our names .... I was glad it was Ken's pic that he used ... I heard the camera adds 10 pounds!!

And .... upon reading my last sentence ... the Captain asks "does this handshake make me look fat?"

pretty day, pretty flowers, pretty darn great life!!

part of my day was spent running errands, helping out a friend, & ..... putting out the chicks & bunnies!! (wish I had a marshmellow bunny to celebrate)

the coffee doth call to me

when the breeze blows in just the right direction .... I can smell the coffee brewing at the coffee house that is down around the corner up. I love the smell of coffee. I have loved it since LONG before I even tasted it (or liked it). So as the cool night air of 48.4 degrees was floatting into the window (at my head) ..... ummmm that aroma came along for the ride. YUM. I should point out here that this was happening about 4:30 in the morning. SO while I enjoyed the moment ..... it did NOT encourage me to get up & make some of my own!! zzzzz

you CAN teach an old cat NEW tricks !

dogs? yeah, I like 'em .... but they smell sometimes. they have bad breath. they chew on things. they dig holes. they stick their noses in embarassing places. as far as teaching an old one a new trick- can't say that I have any experience with that. (although the Captain & I joke about him learning new things routinely) BUT- when it comes to cats .... that's like a whole other breed of animal (well, duh) They ARE smarter than dogs ..... afterall, they know that by doing one itty, bitty trick- their owner is sooooo impressed, why use up their energy with another?! they know that simply laying on your lap will bring such a smile to your face that doing another trick really isn't necessary. they know that using a cat box means you (and they) don't have to go out into the heat or cold for either of you! they know that doing something silly or funny will get lots of attention. As for being creatures of habit?!? that may very well be true but, those habits are ever changing. They are like kids in this way .... just when you say he/she "always" does such-n-such ..... they change. Poki is now about 8 years old and he is STILL forming new habits (albeit not as often) his food preferences, his sleeping preferences, his toy preferences .... still changing from time to time. I find that he is somewhat on cycles- he tends to keep a pattern for about 3 months or so. AND so far- I see only 3 things he has NEVER waivered on .... his love of back massages (long & deep), his regular chase events with little kitty (aka Monkey), and his fear of the doorbell!

fushion-less

as the tax credit winds down for hybrids .... I once again gave thought to the savings VS expenditure VS working to pay for it too! ooooh for the suede color or shiney white I KNOW .... more room with even better gas mileage. BUT
thinking ... thinking ..... and deciding that; tax credit or not- I DO NOT want to work more or longer hours or take away from savings to go for it. I like my time off & flexibility more :o)

(I would probably just scrapbook the tax credit away anyhow!! ha-ha)

conflicted review of what's new (?)

I would be in A DILEMA if I had to choose between my two fav toys right now ?! the YUM & FUN of my Dolce Gusto machine ........

or the amazing ingenuity & convenience (and groovi-ness) of my Kindle !!! but then again .... I DON'T HAVE TO choose between them do I???

eeeew-ies & chew-ies

IMAGINE my surprise when I reached down to grab my gardening glove and saw this!!! It is not the first time we have found one of these critters around here, but previously it was out non the patio of the backyard. I didn't mid that as much as finding this one (ON MY GLOVE) in the garage!! ICK. Each time we've come across them- they are already dead ... and that's generally the only time you will see them, since they mostly feed on decaying roots & are active at night. It's a Jerusalem Cricket but in California, it's called a potato bug. EITHER WAY- it's icky to me. eeeeeeew

THIS, on the other hand ... is in the chew-ies catagory cuz it was goooo-ood. Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum!

an anniversary to leave uncelebrated

MOM- 3 years ago yesterday you were taken from us unexpectedly. I understand that more often than not- sad things do happen unexpectedly but this ...... Had you been ill over a lengthy time, (rather than days) we might have prepared ourselves better- you & I. Even though I truly feel we expressed our love to each other often & in many ways, we would have said more yet. You would have given me advise, I would have made promises I would forever keep. You would have told me one more tme how long you waited for me. And I would have cried, as I do now, but with noisey sobs, rather than this constant stream of tears. We had so much yet to share. I miss you mom & I pray that somehow- I touch someone in my life in as many positive & loving ways as you touched mine. I love you.

ISFJ

my bud Jules & I were discussing the meyers-briggs personality testing yesterday and it prompted me to look & see if I had any of that "stuff" in my OLD "should-have-been-thrown-away-already previous employer folder(s).
The first time I took the test, I remember thinking how boring I must be because my scoring was so close to even in all the catagories. (introvert, sensing, feeling, judging) Years later, but yet many years ago I took it again and fell more heavily toward feeling & judging. Looking over the information (and sample testing on the internet), I feel I am now heavy on the judging, followed faaaar behind is feeling and EVEN further is introvert & sensing. Of course now that I put all this in black & white .... I'm not sure what all that means. No matter what test you take- I FEEL there is still a certain amount of subjectiveness involved and I am pretty sure there would be different answers days or weeks later depending on life's circumstances. No matter how "logical" a person is, our experiences (good & bad) HAVE TO have some effect on our decisions at times! (or I don't think I want to know you!) ..... I am introverted at times BY CHOICE. I sense things routinely but don't act on them easily. I feel things deeply but have found that giving in to the vulnerability that comes with acting solely on feelings- puts me in situations I now choose not to be in. SO- if being heavy in the J catagory ... means that I more commonly make decisions based on what has worked in the past & it's ripple affects- seeing the big picture. .... I'm OK with that. ANYWAY- that's the way I see it :o)

and so the routine sets back in (YAY)

I just have to say I LOVE BEING HOME !! (even if it means there is a work day coming) I feel such comfort in my heart when I am here. I feel more peaceful.

I love my bed (and all my pillows), I love my kitty kat curled up on my lap, I love Pa's hug at the end of the day, I love my coffee machine, I love my blooming cala lilies & orchids, I love my neighbors (even though they add calories to my day) & I love my craft room

most of all - I LOVE MY CAPTAIN for taking me on a wonderful week-long date & bringing me safely back home !!!

(probably) homeward bound today ....

We're being lazy about it- but thinking about heading home a day early. I am only half way thru my caramel-machiato so it won't be happening anytime in the immediate future! But since my SanDiego sissy is not going to be here for the weekend, we won't get a visit in with them as we had originally planned. AND, according to my resident meteorologist- the weather at home is the same as we are having here- so it certainly isn't a bad thing to head that way. Not to mention getting to see Pops & the kitty kats!! IF ONLY Scotty to beam us home- life would be perfect today!! HA Might do a wee bit of shopping along the way. Time will tell.

this is "my" idea of relaxing!

I guess it's pretty obvious how much more time I have to scrap & blog when the Captain doesn't have me running all over Southern Cal!! This was a great stroll & the Captain took some fun pictures to prove it.

esPECIALLY for YOU pops!!!!

BECAUSE we sooooooooooooo appreciate that pops is looking over the homestead, and looking after the kitty kats- we think of him off & on every day we are away!
Hope all is going well & that you are enjoying your peace & quiet !

WE LOVE YOU xoxoxoxo

SO CAL sand feels good between my toes tooooo

a formation of
pelicans against

the GORGEOUS
blue sky!!

with the water warmer than home .... there was no pain involved!!

a day at the beach

so - gettin up more leisurely, having yummies first thing in the morning, lazin' about and doing whatever, whenever is a MIGHTY good thing today! Might add a pic or two later, but for right now .... I will just chat along merrily. We just finished a lunch of leftovers. We have had some great eats & most of the time I have had a little sumpin left over. Last might was the FIRST TIME the Captain didn't gobble his plate up so he finished off his seared lamb just now!
Last night, we moved our king sized mattress onto the living room floor, so we could hear the ocean all night long (yay) With the down comforter... the Captain was plenty warm & it was a treat to hear the waves whenever I turned over. Loved it! The mattress is STILL in the living room ... we sat on it with our computers this morning (and now). While we are discussing the rest of our day- we're gonna take a walk on the beach!!! 72 degrees at the moment.

Day 5 and I am ready to start "relaxing" now

we've had a load of fun .... we've walked & walked (& walked some more) we stood in line- sometimes for more than an hour (& sometimes worth it) ... and now, I am ready for sitting, hanging, relaxin' .....
BUT FIRST - I gotta tell you that, even with ALL these hours at the park- there were plenty of things we didn't do. (nooooooooooooo roller coasters!!)
NOOOOO drops from nauseating heights!

NO ferris wheels that go up (WAY UP) and also to & fro!

NOOOO way I am keeping these $70 UNCOMFORTABLE shoes!!!
BUTTTTTTTTTTTT - there were some really fun things that we DID do (and woulda done again were it not for the 45-60 minute lines) Soaring Over California is AMAZING.

the TOY STORY arcade ride. fun, fun, fun

This part of the park is (probably) geared to the youngins' but I gotta say- we loved it. The 3D show of what it's like to be a bug was very cool ... especially the special affects that make us think we were getting stung, sprayed & over-run by roaches!

we watched tortillas being made (and ate some of them) and did the same at Boudin .... which kept us satisfied til dinner (PF Changs).

It was another day with a lot of foot work but very fun .... and I figure that if we come back in another 10 years ... I'll be old enough for someone to push me around in a wheelchair!

AND AFTER ALL THAT - WE SLEPT IN A BIT THIS MORNING AND

THEN ..... THE CAPTAIN REWARDED ME WITH A VENTI LATTE

& APPLE FRITTER. THEY SIT BESIDE ME AT THIS MOMENT ......

ahhh, I love my dates with the Captain!!

thanks Disneyland ... for making me feel OLD!

ON THIS ST PATRICK'S DAY ...... it was great to see that OVER 80% of the people at Disneyland were wearing green in some form or another. There were a few people that r-e-a-l-l-y played it up. (& there was a LOT of people there)

This was our parking marker and ... it felt like it was 10 miles from the main gate!! The way things have been moved around makes parking a LONG way from the main gate and ... there appears to no longer be shuttles either. (?)

We kept moving, climbing, walking INCLUDING quite of few of the kiddie things .... just for fun.

and there is always the Captain with his antics!!

afterall - HE IS STILL a kid at heart! RIGHT NOW, I am exhausted in EVERY sense of the word !!!

day 4- time to visit a friend

TODAY .......... we are going to visit a friend that we haven't seen in 10 years!! We didn't call ahead, cuz we're hoping to surprise him, but I'm pretty sure he's home. I'll let you know a little later.

day 3 ... still on the run

Off we went first thing this morning to spend the day in Catalina!

the day was clear & warm, the ride over was smooth .... what luck!! They are renovating the casino so it was under wraps :o(

we did a fair amount of walking & took a few serious shots .... as you can see
here as the captain compares "beaks" !

here's more of yesterday before we get to today

Since Foo & Rebecca were

not available for the 17th .... we just had our St Patty together a little early!!

the Captain tried something NEW (yes, that is unusual) AT Foo's recommendation- he ordered corned beef soft tacos - and he loved 'em!!

Day 2 (or at least part of it)

We are cramming sooooooo much into a day day while here .... that we don't get back to the unit in time to blog (wassup whit dat?) so ..... I may be playing "catch up" once the pace slows down! That being the case, I will put together something on the blog but (like today) it will only be PART of what we did, where we went, or what we saw. bear with me ... it should be worth the wait.

day 1 of our week-long "date"

We were off & running about 9am .... the original plan was 8am but with the "spring ahead"of the clocks .... we missed our target! A stop at Starbucks somehow reminded the Captain that he forget his sunglasses so back to the house & out again .... but since there was no place we had to be at any specific time- who cares!!
we wound through the green hills toward our destination and somewhere along the way .... we came to this sign and thought MAYBE we were heading north (except where was the snow???) fortunately .....
it wasn't long before we found the ocean and we felt a great relief :o)

we stopped for a snack- knowing that where we were going to have our main meal would have a waiting list .... and, in honor of St Patty's week-

we actually had corned beef & saurkraut pizza. (luckily only a small amount of the kraut). Sounds odds, but it was yummy. EVENTUALLY we did sup at The Fisherman's Restaurant in San Clemente .... grilled ono for both of us.

and arrived in Carlsbad in plenty of time to unpack & relax before the sunset called to us for a snapshot. We had to walk a few feet to catch it, as our condo has an ocean view but not quite in the right direction of the sunset .... however, at 9pm, as I write this, we have our slider open & can hear to ocean waves breaking (oh .... so .... YAY)
I like the pelican silhouettes against the sunset!

the Real Housewives of the Central Coast

OKAY ...... I admit it ..... I watch some of the "Housewives" shows.
WHY? the total entertainment factor. Short & Simple !!!
It is probably the only things besides political commercials- that has me talking back to the TV (although I definately roll my eyes more when watching the housewives!) Sometimes it gets me to thinking how boring it would be if I, & the other housewives I socialize with, would be in comparison!! OF course some of the reason would be that we don't have enough money to throw around like they do. That alone gets them into a lot of situations. But that being said- I just cannot imagine what we could say or do that would even fill 1 hour .... much less an entire season! Not 1 of us talks enough trash to be entertaining on the "colorful" level of the current shows. Perhaps collectively, but not individually. We just go to work, value our time with our hubbys, help out with family when needed, dabble with hobbies or things we enjoy. We are down to earth. IN TV LAND- we would be b-o-r-i-n-g !!
AND BOY AM I GLAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

graduation day (nite)

WE did it .... we made it thru 9 weeks of class &
lectures for the community patrol program.
NEXT UP is the actual volunteer academy.
I filled out the application but I'm not sure how
far I want to go with it. I hope to get more
involved with my local community but not
sure in what capacity at this point. Might just
leave it to the Captain (since he is gung-ho)

SO I got to shake hands with the big guys this week

(and we got some yummy cake too)

and today I will be in Germany !

OR AT LEAST my coffee is!

LOOK at where I have had coffee just in the past few days alone (?) !!

at last count I have 17 Starbucks "city" cups. And that's not counting the duplicate of England that I have at work, or the Scotland & Wales that didn't survive in the mail from my niece! (or the one from Japan that we thought of too late!) I have not travelled to all the origins but someone who loves me has!! The most unique one is San Diego because it is the only multi-colored one. Most are more monotoned - blue'ish or blue-gray seems to be common (boo-hiss). HOWEVER, I love them all and can tell you (so far) who each of them has come from . (and I think Italy will be added by fall) Now, back to Germany for a refill!

just the way I like it!

THIS EVENING had a crab louis salad EXACTLY the way it is meant to enjoy .....
in the company of a good friend. Jules & I took "date night" to a female level tonight & had a relaxing visit just munching & chatting. no agenda. Then finished off with lotsa hugs .... from me to her from Ken, from me to her for Dan, then from
me to her for her- then all of the above back-at-me.
Good eats ..... yummy.
Good friends .... PRICELESS

a nice day & a confession

Popoki was excited to see the sunshine on his "window seat" today! (can't you seeeee how excited he is???!)
and I have to confess that I snipped some camelias from "a neighbor's" bush to go along with the 2 that were bloomed on my own. They look dede-lightful in my pretty betty-bowl. (thank you Jules)

thinking ahead (typical for me)

WE ARE heading in the direction of my lil' sis's NEXT week!!

It has been a while since we visited her & Bec & Am, and we

are looking forward to ringing in St Patty's with them & having a

"week long" date for the Captain & me!! :o)

taxes done .... savings padded, "rewards" considered

THIS ... is the new stool for my craft room.

I found over the past few months that there are times when my back gets tired after long hours in my craft room. ALTHOUGH I am pretty good and sitting up straight .... sometimes a little support is welcome. So I have have been using a similar kitchen stool the last couple of days and I can definately see the diff. SO ..................
And with our taxes (finally) completed and filed, we dumped most of our well-earned refund in savings but kept a bit out for the Captain & I to each do with "what we like". I am considering a Kindle, the Captain may have surf lessons in his future. We'll see

bummer dude... where's my rain???

as I have mentoned MANY times .... I do soooo love the rain. I am willing to compromise and not have it rain all the time {afterall- this isn't Seattle}, and I don't mind if it is just a shower VS torrential downpour .... I don't want to move mountains or have houses slide down the hillside. BUT- when it is forecasted, I get my hopes up :o( IT MIGHT BE prudent to note at this point that if I listened to the Captain's updated forecasts, I wouldn't be as disappointed- since HIS are just, if not more acurate than the TV weatherman. Be that as it may ..... here is a pic I took during last week's storm.

and I have

decided

that just

because it

isn't raining-

doesn't mean

I can't stay

in my PJ's

today !!

obsession .... Santa Maria style

I am not a patient passenger. I take magazines & lists to work on and sometimes plan around what might be on the radio, or even save a planning session that the Captain & I have recently discussed .... just to pass the time without getting antsy.

USUALLY I have a camera with me. BUT- I don't want to stop the car (cuz it

will take even longer to get where

we're going) when I saw how beautiful

the colors and scenery was on hwy 166 ..... "I busied" myself taking

pictures (over 300 if ya wanna get specific). It turned out to be a short drive!