Big Sur

I threw these pictures up last night in a hurry and didn't even post captions with them. I also exceeded my Flickr allotment so here's the rest of the pictures I couldn't upload through there. The Flickr pics are so much better quality. I might have to look into upgrading my account. For now, some of these are from there and some are through Blogger.

We started our trip off with one night in Pismo Beach. Camping on the beach is a blast but I have honestly never had that much sand on me in my life. It was on/in everything. It was even inside my sleeping bag.













Pismo is a very popular destination for people with ATV's. I think we were one of the only people there that didn't have one.


Attempt at a self portrait


On Friday we continued our journey the coast to our final destination, Big Sur.







It was windy and cold on the way up but we had beautiful weather the whole rest of the time we were there.




I know this doesn't technically count as camping but Lisa wanted to try something a little less rustic this year so we rented a cabin. I have to admit it was so nice to sleep in a bed and have a hot shower each night. The cabin had no kitchen in it(strange, I know), so we did cook all of our meals outside and really only used the cabin to sleep in.




You couldn't beat the location and view from our back lawn. We have never had a campsite right on the river before. It was awesome.





I had to try out the tree swing. Even though I'm sure I was far too heavy for it.



Here I am thinking "Hmmmm...........I think it would hold me".





I hope I didn't weaken the rope so that it breaks the next time somebody else tries it!
It was fun.




The Teague Family joined us for the night on Friday and a great time was had by all.

I love this picture of Ryleigh. She is so cute! I was going to tell you the story of how Joe wanted to steal her and keep him for our own but he said he didn't want me to tell you, so I won't. :)



Grace and Ryleigh headed into the river


Ducky Races


The boys tubing the rapids on Big Sur River




Austin Chillin' in his inner tube





I love campfires











Cameron had to do what all the big kids were doing, which was jumping off of the rocks into the water. This resulted in me almost having a heart attack and worrying what I was going to tell my sister when he broke a bone or maimed himself in some other way. Thankfully he did not injure himself and even talked me into photographing it so he could show his Mom.

He hung onto this tree literally for hours. Bad for the tree. Good for some peace and quiet for me.


We drove down to Pfeiffer Beach to check out the beautiful scenery.







I wanted to climb to the very top of these rocks but once I got up there it was pretty high and I settled for sitting here instead.



Joe made it all the way to the top. Show off.










Lisa found this piece of seaweed and thought it looked like a whip so she picked it up and started whipping it around while singing the theme song from "Indiana Jones". And yes, I do have it on video.





We ended up at Lisa and Scot's house for one night because she said they were going to go pick up their puppy on Monday night. You know I wanted to be a part of that!

Joe makes a new friend

Puppies are soooooooooo cute. I kept having to tell myself "Puppies grow up, puppies grow up, puppies grow up!" :)



It was a wonderful trip yet again. This is the 7th year we have been going to Big Sur and I hope it is a tradition we continue when Sophie is home.

32 Months

I may as well have some eye candy included with these monthly posts :)

Going to my Zen Place

I'm going to try and unplug for a couple of days until we leave for our trip. I have been stressing big time and I find that being on the computer too much tends to add to that feeling. I don't know why.

The groceries are bought, the pet sitter is arranged and the camping stuff is strewn all over our living room. Tomorrow we will start packing the car and on Friday we will be driving over this

and stopping to pose for pictures on it yet again.

Big Sur. It's my Zen place.

Have a great rest of the week and weekend!


Yesterday Joe read my last post and said "How come you titled it "crazy"?

I replied "Well, because it was going to be a crazy busy week."

He said "Oh. I thought it was because you are a little bit crazy with all of the worrying you do"

Well, there's that too.

Thanks honey.

Crazy

Thanks for all of your kind words about Joe's job.  

We are both very happy.

The job is at a tutoring center and it runs through the second week in September.  The pay is okay and they said they would most likely be able to give him 20-25 hours per week.

It isn't going to solve all of our problems but it is definitely a step in the right direction to getting back on our feet.

Did I mention that on the same day he got the job we received the claim forms from the unemployment department? 

I know.  It figures.  After 6 months of not paying us anything they decide to pay us on the same exact day he gets a job.

Fabulous timing.

On Friday we received all 12 claim forms(one for each 2 week period he was unemployed), which we have already filled out and sent back to them so we can start getting our checks already.  Can you believe CA still makes you send forms in the mail and then they send you a paper check?  Other states let you do everything online and wire the money to your account via direct deposit.  

Way to keep up with modern technology, CA.

Who know how long it will take them to send out a check(s).  I'm not even thinking about it.  It will come when it comes.

That's me trying to portray a calm exterior about something I have no control over.

With the new job we won't be eligible for the unemployment any longer and that gives me a whole new set of things to worry about.

I'm a nut.  I  know.  I can't help it.  I worry and worry and worry about him not having a job and the minute he gets one I start worrying about him having one.

But what if they decide at the last minute not to give him the job? What if they can't give him enough hours?  What if he gets the job and then they lay him off and it takes 6 more months to get the unemployment again?  

And on and on and on.

It doesn't help that this week is totally crazy.  We've been busy at work because everyone wants to get in before we go on vacation.

I have a ton of things to to before we actually leave on said vacation(Cleaning the house. Doing Laundry.  Pulling out of all the camping gear.  Making lists.  Talking to the petsitter.)

So.  Much.  To do.

And in between all of that, the worrying.  (The worrying takes up a lot of time!)  

My goal this week is going to breathe in and out slowly and try to stop worrying long enough to enjoy our vacation.

Wish me luck :)

Lots of it.

Happy Father's Day Dad!

My Husband Got a Job!

That's all I have for now.

It is late and I'm tired and I have to get up at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow because Dragon Boat Practice was switched to early morning Sat.(are you kidding me?) since Sunday is Father's Day.

It is a part time job and it is only through the second week in September, but it's a job.

Hallelujah!

My husband got a job!

I think it bears repeating :)

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for our Disney passes. We have had so much fun going there over the last 8 months and we certainly got our money's worth out of them. Joe's pass is blocked out until the end of August and I really don't know if we will be able to renew them in the Fall. But boy, have we had a blast with them.





I am thankful my husband has a job interview tomorrow. I almost wasn't going to mention it because I am afraid to get my hopes up and didn't want to post if he doesn't get it. It is only a part time job but the pay is decent and I so hope he gets it. But if he doesn't I am thankful he had the opportunity to interview for it. Finally! After six months he gets a job interview. Please send good thoughts :)



I am thankful for my Wii Fit. Even though the new "Active" game is trying to kill me. Seriously. It is. I hate squats. And Lunges. But I can feel my body changing slowly and it feels good.




I am thankful to we still get to go on our trip. We had to cut the trip short from 7 nights to only three, but we still get to go and for that I am so grateful. I can not wait to sit here:
and do nothing all. day. long.

Oh, and seeing this everyday won't be too shabby either:




What are you thankful for?