Canada!

 I knew that after I finished the 50 states and tried a cruise, next on the list would be Canada. I won't give you the background here but know that the planning was begun many months ago and there are reasons for certain parts, mostly the train at the end. 

I left home way too early and drove to Van Nuys where I left my truck and took a shuttle bus to LAX. This saved a lot of money but wasn't necessarily quick. But it was relatively stress free - especially since the bus had to deal with LA traffic and I didn't! We'll see how it goes at the end, but for now I'd say I'd do it again. 

Anyway....

I had plans to stay with my friend Sheena who I had gone to church camps with in High School. Her family has been in Calgary for about 15 years. She even offered to come get me at the airport which was so much better than Uber! Sheena and her husband Pete were waiting when I got done with customs. Customs was uneventful thank goodness. They had lots of kiosks set up where I scanned my passport and answered questions about why I was there and such. Easy peasy.

Sheena and Pete and I drove into downtown and had a nice dinner at a local restaurant. The whole area was very busy with all sorts of people walking around, all the restaurants were packed. Yes, Friday night, but also world cup soccer. There was a large contingent rooting for Brazil at the patio restaurant next to ours - they cheered a lot :)

I tried my first poutine!! It was fries with chicken gravy and cheese curds. I found it quite yummy. Apparently there are many varieties with different "sauces" and types of cheese and such.

After dinner, Pete played tour guide and drove all over downtown showing me various sights. Stampede grounds, Saddledome (where the Flames play hockey), the new arena they're building for the Flames, the Bow River, and so much more! 

We then went back to the house and I just about collapsed into bed. 

Temecula Nov 2023

 (sidenote: my titles need help)

Although Karie and I enjoyed a fabulous girls weekend in September, I hadn't seen the boys since July 4th so I decided it was time to go to Temecula. I still missed Salim but 2 of 3 ain't bad! We had no real plans except to hang out and for me to go to school with K on Tuesday. 

When I got there, B was still working but I was able to catch up with T and K a bit. I love a good low-key visit. I was also fending off a headache. They helped with some ibuprofen. I was also finishing off a Dr P from a late lunch on the way. Speaking of on the way, I was supposed to run some errands like getting my brows waxed but decided to just get to their house. My brows are unruly but who cares!

Anyway, once B finished his work day, we headed out to wine country to the winery where thy have a membership. I drank water while B&K had their monthly free wine. T had come too and he had an orange drink thing. Beautiful setting and great conversation. 

We then went to a local Mexican restaurant. Yummy nachos for me. And a blue agave margarita. YUM! Went home and watched some TV. And then I slept really well. Last time I was there, I didn't sleep at all so this was a big deal!

Tuesday dawned and K and I went off to her class. She just started this semester teaching GED classes. She will also eventually teach ESL and Citizenship. Her class was small (holiday week always is!) but mighty. They actually cared about learning and even knowing why things are true and such. It was amazing. And Karie is a natural teacher!

We then had lunch at Chilis. We learned that they do a monthly margarita flavor for $6. Wildberry was the current flavor and it was SO good!! (and not tiny just cuz it was $6)

Shopping was next. There is a delightful thrift store in town that is kind of higher end. I found two sweaters and Christmas pajama pants. I even had a "reward" so basically one sweater was free! Off to Trader Joes from there. It was packed of course but lots and lots of workers too and I got way too many seasonal cookies! 

Speaking of cookies, we stopped at the Cookie Co on the way home and got each of us a cookie. So big and so yummy! Mine was pumpkin crumble or something. We enjoyed our cookies over some more conversation and then I went home.

Ha. Traffic was terrible on the way out of Temecula and almost 4 hours later, after a stop at Staters in Yucaipa, plus going out of the way to get dinner cuz I forgot (cookie was huge and held me over!), I was finally home with Slugger!

Summer 2022

 On this, my last day of summer break (basically), I thought I'd take a moment to reflect on a very good summer (this will be long - I should have blogged more of this individually!). It was an excellent mix of getting stuff done and sitting around doing nothing. Productive yet relaxing. I'd like another week or two of course. But I think I'm ready.

Where I went:

Started with an EXCELLENT girls weekend with Karie in Palm Springs. We sat by the pool for endless hours, chatting, laughing, being still. It was glorious. We ate good food, drank, and laughed and laughed. It was exactly what I needed without knowing I needed it!

Couple of weeks later, Slugger and I had a nice, short road trip to San Diego. He put his feet in the water and had lots of small walks. He was VERY good in the hotel. On the drive home we went the very long way and had several good walks and snacks. 

As has kind of become tradition, I spent the 4th of July weekend in Temecula with the Whites. As always, MUCH fun was had and memories were made. We had tea, discovered a great used book store, antiqued and laughed - that was day one. On Sunday Thomas and I had a breakfast outing and then he went with me to Walmart (such a trooper, my Godson!). Then Karie and Ben and I went to a speakeasy (yes!) so I could enjoy my first professional Bees Knees - SO good! That night we all went to the Lake Elsinore Storm game. They lost but the fireworks were nice. I went home the next day. SO MUCH FUN!!

My summer ends with another trip to San Diego tomorrow for an AVID conference. Not really vacation, but going to enjoy the swanky hotel!

What I did:

I gave myself a LONG to-do list and spent ALL summer slowly making my way through it. First, I dealt with the weeds and then I cleaned the house. Like really cleaned. Then it got fun :) I ordered 8 tons of gravel and ended up having to spend a LOT more time than I expected moving it to where I wanted it. But now I can park not in mud on the lower side of the house in the winter. I also am on the schedule to get the house painted and for the whole house generator to be installed. Oh, I stained the "new" buffet. I also re-adhered the cork in the she-cave after it all fell down. That wasn't planned! Plus a bunch of little things like shredding a bunch of old documents.

I FINALLY hiked up Sugarloaf Mountain! I was alone (saw one other person the whole trip) and hiked - poles, boots and all. It was difficult but I'd do it again!

I ran. And I ran. I FINALLY figured out the toe blister thing and so I was able to up my mileage quite quickly. Maybe too quickly at the end. BUT I accomplished an actual, literal bucket list item... I ran 26.2 miles - a marathon! From my house to Little Bear Springs, with Cougar Crest in the middle. (That was a stupid idea, btw). Ultras, here I come :)

I think that's about it. Slugger and I walked almost every day - he even got up to a 1.67 neighborhood outing! We hung out with Dad. We drove to the PO a lot. We watched a LOT of TV (Alias, Blossom, Bones). It was a VERY GOOD summer!!! 

May 2018

(I'm totally backtracking!! Sorry for the late posts and lack of details!!)

May was busy!! Mostly school stuff:

May 5 - PROM!! 
It was quite different just going. I didn't really have to DO anything!! We put kids onto 9 (I think) charter buses and trekked to the Cerritos Performing Arts Center. It was past Knott's - that's all I know. It was beautiful and quite spacious. There was a dance floor area (the actual theater part of the building), a game room with pool tables and such, several photo ops, a caricature artist, an outside live "band" (2 people?), and space to just wander or sit. It seemed like a lot but then I realized that the kids are stuck there the entire time so there needs to be stuff to keep them occupied!! We loaded up the buses at exactly midnight. I was so tired!! Then our bus broke down about 30 minutes from home!!! The kids were REALLY very good about the delay of about an hour while we waited for another bus to drop off its kids and come back for us. I finally got home about 2:45am. And I swore I'd never do that again. Hmph. We'll see!

May 16 - ASTROS!!!!
My first game seeing the DEFENDING WORLD CHAMPIONS in person!!! (I will never get tired of calling them that!!!) Joanna was awesome enough to join me for the occasion. While there, JV got his 2500th strikeout of his career (against Ohtani!), my boys played well, and I fell in love all over again (as I do basically every time I see them play!).

May 24 - GradNite at 6 Flags Magic Mountain
I was actually looking forward to this because it had been 25+ years since I'd been to Magic Mountain. However, I forgot that I'm now 43 years old and staying up all night is not my thing!! This time we took school buses. I lucked out and only had 16 on my bus. And they were good kids for the most part. Our driver was also very nice and friendly. Six Flags looks out for the chaperones. We had our own entire restaurant with food all night long. It wasn't big enough, and it was hot, but still it was nice they had anything "kid-less" for us! Several of us went off to ride roller coasters. It'd been a LONG time but it was fun! And we learned that chaperones could get to the front of the line. Yes, there were lines. SO many schools present and not all the rides were open!

on the way there

our chaperone restaurant

my first roller coaster in decades!

on the way home!

May also included the last day of school!! May 31. Good day ;)

Christmas in CA!

 I would not trade the many holidays I spent with just G or Slugs, or with my transplant family in Texas. But THIS year was extra special.

Dad and I were invited to my brother's for Christmas Eve but didn't really know what we were doing for Christmas day. I had planned a birthday/Christmas party for 12/30 to which I had invited some friends and my brother and SIL. Dad was in charge of seeing what was happening with the rest of the family.

On the Wednesday afternoon before Christmas (4.5 days) it was decided that my aunt and uncle and their three grown children would come to MY house for Christmas day! I was SO excited!!!! I immediately started making lists 😀 (also totally just learned how to put emojis in here!). Luckily school was out early on Thursday and we had Friday off. BUT Dad and I had plans in Big Bear on Saturday night, plus Christmas Eve (Sunday) with Dave and Loni. The decision was made that I, at least, would return to the desert after tamales at Dave's Sunday night.

Anyway, I thrive in busy-ness so it was great fun for me. I had several lists going and every minute was planned out. My favorite! No sarcasm there - I love doing nothing but I also love being busy and having a tight schedule, every once in a while. I already had the table ready (or planned) for the party on Dad's birthday so that part was easy. I have made a traditional Christmas dinner several times, so the food wasn't difficult. And I had it all scheduled out so it was a matter of just doing it.

Saturday night, Dad and I and two of his neighbors went to a fun Christmas "play" - A Christmas Carol Askew or something like that. Very very funny. Audience participation and singing and lots of laughs. Dad even got singled out in the crowd. He played along very well!! Sunday morning I went for a trail run. That evening we went off to Dave's. Yummy tamales and good company. Then we went and picked up the dogs and made our way to the desert.

Dad and I had a quiet but fun Christmas morning with the pooches while I periodically did something in the kitchen. Charlie, Patty, Steven, Tyler, and Samantha showed up right on time and the party began. The turkey was moist, the potatoes mushy, and the yams (a new dish for me) were quite yummy. I made the stuffing in the crockpot. I thought it was kinda dry but somebody (don't remember who) said it was just right. I don't like stuffing so whatever! I had made a cream cheese pie, a pumpkin pie and a pecan pie. Why all the pie?

Over the weekend, I had invited Joanna and her mom and brother to come over for pie on Christmas Day evening. With 7 people at dinner, plus 3 coming just for pie, it seemed I need a 3rd pie. Right? Eh. Could've done without the pumpkin cuz it wasn't very good. BUT I FINALLY got the cream cheese pie right!!!

Once Christmas was over, I could concentrate on the birthday party. I had decided on a Mexican fiesta. I made enchiladas, sopapillas, "refried" beans, etc. There were supposed to be 9 of us, but Dave and Loni came down sick so they didn't come. The 7 of us left enjoyed the meal and then we had a gift exchange (I ended up with a new fuzzy blanket!) and played some games. It was a good evening. I think Dad felt celebrated. Oh, there was a birthday cake (which has a story but I'll keep it to myself for now).Seventy-five never looked so good!!

All in all, it was an EXCELLENT Christmas week in California!! I was ready for a low-key first week of January, which I got 😄

Opening Gifts from Santa 

Grandpa was trying to help with the packaging 

The first hiding spot 

Downtime between parties!

I really should take more pics of stuff. I guess I was having too much fun!!!

Thanksgiving 2017

I moved to CA for weeks just like this one! First, Dad and I worked Chimera. Then Slugs and I lounged at home for a couple days before heading to Big Bear for the holiday. Yay for being 75 minutes from Dad!!

One of the most exciting parts of being able to be in Big Bear for Thanksgiving is that we have a new member of our family!! My niece Alexis gave me a grand-nephew in September. They were going to BB for Thanksgiving!! 

Not sure I've ever mentioned this here but my big brother and sister-n law are VERY active in the Fawnskin Moose Lodge. It is just down the street from their home. Loni is a regular bartender and Dave is some sort of officer at all times, as far as I know. He's been Governor several times I believe. Anyway, he serves Thanksgiving dinner (and Christmas apparently) to members. He cooked 5 turkeys and a turducken in addition to lots of other yummy sides. This is where Dad and I had our Thanksgiving meal :)  It was so much fun! I met lots of people who I look forward to seeing more regularly now that I'm "local". And I held the baby!! 

Oh and the Cowboys lost and the Redskins won. Added bonus. Overall, it was great to spend the holiday amongst family and friends eating good food and watching football. Dream come true. Here are pictures. 

I bored him!!

William Nicholas Brown

Making faces

The happy family

Apparently once there's a baby, pictures of other people stop happening. Oops. Promise we were all there ;) Also it's very dark inside thus the horribly dark pictures! Sorry!

The NEXT day was almost as exciting. I had very much been looking forward to the annual Christmas tree lighting in The Village since last year when I knew I'd be there for this year. Dad got to work Search and Rescue for it but I was able to hang with him and his buddies until they had to go make room for the fire engine carrying Santa Claus to drive down the road. 

There were carols being sung, people everywhere, and not a chill in the air. No really. It was warm. I wore a sweater and coat anyway cuz it's winter darn it!! They lit the tree, Santa arrived, and we all left. I was starving! It was so worth it though to ring in the Christmas season. Now we're home in the desert and will start decorating as soon as I stop writing :)

the crowd before it got crowded

Merry Christmas from Big Bear!!

Here Comes Santa Claus!!

Easterly Wanderings 2017

Last week I made the trip East to hang out with Ma for a few days. As always, I also fit in a few friends, some other family, and DC sightseeing. I was gone 7 days :)

It seems to have become my tradition to see how much I can fit in to a few hours in our nation's capital. There is SO much to see and I've seen almost all of it. Of course, exhibits change within the museums so there's always something new. This year the new African American Museum was on my list. However, it's hard to get in to. One has to get up very early and reserve a ticket, with an assigned time. That was just more than I could handle on my last day of the trip! BUT the friends I stayed with on Sunday night mentioned the American Indian museum. I didn't know such a thing existed! And so that's where I began.

I rode the metro into town and got to the museum a little after 11am. I wandered around an exhibit about the various Indian nations while waiting for the "intro" movie to begin. Honestly, I wasn't impressed with the movie. It was interesting but I don't think it was very organized. Yeah, that makes no sense so just trust me, you don't have to watch the movie to enjoy the museum! The museum had some interesting artifacts and if I weren't tired (now and at the time), I'd be able to remember some of the things I read about! I took these two pictures though...

I tried to find something in the gift shop with the bear. Unsuccessfully.

Next stop was next door to the Air and Space Museum. Because, well, it's my favorite and I always stop there! Last summer I read a book on the Wright Brothers (actually, it might've been 2 years ago) and a book about Charles Lindbergh so I figured even if there wasn't anything new, things might mean more to me. But there WAS a new/temporary exhibit. And it was PHENOMENAL. Not sure what it had to do with Air and Space, but whatever. It was called Artist Soldiers and displayed artwork done by soldiers during and after World War 1. The art was not only well done but also had extra oomph because it was so real. I'm not saying that well. Every piece told a story, many not happy, and the emotions came across so alarmingly well. I took only one picture. I actually went back to this painting after going through the whole exhibit. And I just realized it's used as the backdrop for the webpage (click link above). I stared at it for some time. So moving.

Then I went to visit the Wright exhibit.

Me and the boys

Me and the plane

One of only 5 original Wright bicycles in existence.

Then I gave homage to Lindbergh.

It's hard to pick out the plane since the wall is the same color!

After I left A&S, I had a snack (hummus and pretzels) and decided what to do next. I knew I'd been to the Archives but not in a very long time so that's where I headed. It's across the mall and up a couple blocks. Not too bad. On the way, I got to see these...

I bought that visor for $5! A bargain!! And my hair was driving me nuts!! Also, I love the selfie feature on my new phone. I feel like I can actually take a halfway decent selfie!! These were all taken in the same spot. I zoomed into the buildings :)

Then I went to the Archives. Yay for Declaration and Constitution and Magna Carta. I also saw the Emancipation Proclamation. Fun! I left there for the Navy Memorial. On my short walk, I noticed how varied and pretty the architecture is in DC.

The Archives

announcing the memorial

I was interested in the Navy Memorial because I didn't know it existed and also because Dad is a Navy Veteran! The memorial is basically an outdoor plaza. I know I've driven by in the past and never noticed it! Then there was also a museum. Again, I was too tired (and hot) to remember anything I saw. I'm really not very good at the sight-seeing thing, I guess!

the lone sailor (statue in middle of plaza/memorial)

plaques of all the various naval contributions to the world

a close-up of one of the plaques 

my first ever attempt at a panorama picture - a quote about sailors

By this point I was exhausted so I headed back to the metro and my rental car. I had plans to hang out with my friend Becky for dinner. She was happy to welcome me a little earlier than planned. I was back to my car by 4pm. So, yet another whirlwind 5 hour DC visit! So fun!!

PS the formatting is all wonky when I look at the actual post. I promise it's all pretty on my edit view. I don't know enough to fix it. Sorry.