tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-141757962024-03-23T11:21:50.789-07:00Searching For SophieMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.comBlogger1609125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-77403278402948712552023-05-17T16:24:00.000-07:002023-05-17T16:24:18.784-07:00Disney Cruise Day Four<p> Day Four was a sea day, so we hung around the ship and relaxed all day. We went to the spa for two and a half hours, read our books out on the verandah, took our time with breakfast and lunch. After lunch we went to a champagne tasting class that I had signed us up for. It was fun tasting all the expensive champagnes, but the class was supposed to teach us how to make champagne cocktails, and it did not do that. I'm not sure what was up with that, but I was really looking forward to it. We did enjoy the tasting though.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZWqPqKaaO4fFPDifz6F0sm5sZ2o_pZlIB-m1fNvYV88dqySjk08rGBUGqoumbhsPqA8-ADAKl0U_IEUfGollK_Rip_m9T17EqF4Z10Emok8Acjc-OT5DDVZ_rXxGAmjOG-_K80aC3tFAWH8EC70iFfelqhDyo9BY0ft90hVGB8ZRtyTM0y8/s4032/IMG_7908.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZWqPqKaaO4fFPDifz6F0sm5sZ2o_pZlIB-m1fNvYV88dqySjk08rGBUGqoumbhsPqA8-ADAKl0U_IEUfGollK_Rip_m9T17EqF4Z10Emok8Acjc-OT5DDVZ_rXxGAmjOG-_K80aC3tFAWH8EC70iFfelqhDyo9BY0ft90hVGB8ZRtyTM0y8/s320/IMG_7908.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ32JoOOr__paGg6nN2LJVSiTqd3fPyM-A6_LQA2TlVPEv0PrQrJA8ovwSHB4Yztz4yse56kt7FkTWXEJcY4C7ljFdfkHPp82ouWshblhcjEEAhr99M6rajVd3Y5yv7esg_iy_1rfVs7qXUg-YY2bH6L3YAVejQ7w3Q2kO94xrFU46FxIwcA/s4032/IMG_7906.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ32JoOOr__paGg6nN2LJVSiTqd3fPyM-A6_LQA2TlVPEv0PrQrJA8ovwSHB4Yztz4yse56kt7FkTWXEJcY4C7ljFdfkHPp82ouWshblhcjEEAhr99M6rajVd3Y5yv7esg_iy_1rfVs7qXUg-YY2bH6L3YAVejQ7w3Q2kO94xrFU46FxIwcA/s320/IMG_7906.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtks13oUsqIH8NLojAdy_OieZayOU_fWNWT6F5faXiZiZ5wELtEQo823ovz7jaHuk25nmcRrVc0MkxeQD6_MEYxD7CX2i3SciH-fZocFv1f1qNR_JJh3QFFFfsVQwiW0euhSsiugqnU6_MGXErwZT8kU4mqNqzb78AXUgOpU3vx24gYdA9TI/s4032/IMG_7910.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtks13oUsqIH8NLojAdy_OieZayOU_fWNWT6F5faXiZiZ5wELtEQo823ovz7jaHuk25nmcRrVc0MkxeQD6_MEYxD7CX2i3SciH-fZocFv1f1qNR_JJh3QFFFfsVQwiW0euhSsiugqnU6_MGXErwZT8kU4mqNqzb78AXUgOpU3vx24gYdA9TI/s320/IMG_7910.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p>We did some activities like trivia and played some Bingo but did not win. It was fun playing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrV29JEeHSLk4NujX0wgE-LEyAGtJ3BHiC6B2j9cMrFIJVblWJULizFRWLNB23h6CI6Ii2V7nQRAelIWAZeSFP4exP5Wq1LoGElsEv0pftYY3ZY0PFAtAb34lO2f5KnUoM4XliPRnJuG2G4MydESqGGU5VnCSgF9RsNRgpXOZhjm55VNnHL4/s4032/IMG_7803.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrV29JEeHSLk4NujX0wgE-LEyAGtJ3BHiC6B2j9cMrFIJVblWJULizFRWLNB23h6CI6Ii2V7nQRAelIWAZeSFP4exP5Wq1LoGElsEv0pftYY3ZY0PFAtAb34lO2f5KnUoM4XliPRnJuG2G4MydESqGGU5VnCSgF9RsNRgpXOZhjm55VNnHL4/s320/IMG_7803.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was not regular BINGO, like you have in your head where people sit in a crowded room and the caller slowly calls out each number and people are quiet because they are concentrating. Nope! This BINGO was nothing like that. There was singing, there was dancing, there was jumping up and down. They know how to do BINGO! Super fun. We were one number off two times. So close!</div><br /><p>We found this door on our deck. I love, love, love this. Up is one of my favorite Pixar films. I love Carl and Ellie so much! The creativity this took is amazing. Next time I'm going to up my cruise ship door game.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR8-B8t-HoYkBs_aPKeQAKujsKS_nosmV95sil_xj2rI3vqbkpkpYbFKrUyAbiCPgKs2ypNxdFFrmoFogFaFG_BrreIYsgf0zL7f5EPKajeFVG2H0cxbMHixSfBm2GqK8qklZuJ1hiW6rEea-maWVQsBQw79vujaND1jCLX7JwK2F_RvcElg/s4032/IMG_6760.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR8-B8t-HoYkBs_aPKeQAKujsKS_nosmV95sil_xj2rI3vqbkpkpYbFKrUyAbiCPgKs2ypNxdFFrmoFogFaFG_BrreIYsgf0zL7f5EPKajeFVG2H0cxbMHixSfBm2GqK8qklZuJ1hiW6rEea-maWVQsBQw79vujaND1jCLX7JwK2F_RvcElg/s320/IMG_6760.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joe took this photo at sunset. </div><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe45QV1ZQV0esexrMX9Br7my8Q76gZUe1trF13K1ewBUpxT5OO3TNWjikhXZl1YrVpVV20vbApfra_SWwfnvaeidU1ique2B4eFcOBugJyvEkX5yuoHscpotrTDhjdT9cHZiA7HpvMsTF1Kswp2OKYLdeQJjths79VaoyI2GhST3YRhXlU5A/s4032/IMG_6821.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe45QV1ZQV0esexrMX9Br7my8Q76gZUe1trF13K1ewBUpxT5OO3TNWjikhXZl1YrVpVV20vbApfra_SWwfnvaeidU1ique2B4eFcOBugJyvEkX5yuoHscpotrTDhjdT9cHZiA7HpvMsTF1Kswp2OKYLdeQJjths79VaoyI2GhST3YRhXlU5A/s320/IMG_6821.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dinner tonight is at Tiana's Place. This was the restaurant I was looking forward to the most. It's based after The Princess and the Frog movie. It's set in New Orleans and the theming is amazing. Look at these plates! So cute! I did remember to take pictures of my food tonight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMAQtJ0qqJeckX_34X8lGV8Jn1SszYrGdvWkq1Lpn4jSs3sXXZYV9e0tPuXI90NPWCUDzQRe2f32FwGtZO6NdNDAB5cgNQFF6Gs5XF7ARyTFGrD_Lj89OIx4XfJUQxoXPwtlOj2isoZVHL51jVcf16XQ_YfXpfBFc99f4h02tvAWKUVPu5HI/s3020/IMG_7921.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1796" data-original-width="3020" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMAQtJ0qqJeckX_34X8lGV8Jn1SszYrGdvWkq1Lpn4jSs3sXXZYV9e0tPuXI90NPWCUDzQRe2f32FwGtZO6NdNDAB5cgNQFF6Gs5XF7ARyTFGrD_Lj89OIx4XfJUQxoXPwtlOj2isoZVHL51jVcf16XQ_YfXpfBFc99f4h02tvAWKUVPu5HI/s320/IMG_7921.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We both started with the sausage fritters. So good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRhmXAt5YAHPMxUvYHf-pP6Tbp-JXYmj8SlBGiASXy7UfmSEpqxedYdzOciErK4cvkMBE05u5k0-d_yXt0sKSCj0Ln1m5AXq42uSQW8PGqK2xWQwp6D9XP6dFp2Ds4q6p3lM2OdKZ4WA-J7Asqkii61lQA-F-fTi-R77xdN6uVmn1BYrKRp8/s4032/IMG_7919.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRhmXAt5YAHPMxUvYHf-pP6Tbp-JXYmj8SlBGiASXy7UfmSEpqxedYdzOciErK4cvkMBE05u5k0-d_yXt0sKSCj0Ln1m5AXq42uSQW8PGqK2xWQwp6D9XP6dFp2Ds4q6p3lM2OdKZ4WA-J7Asqkii61lQA-F-fTi-R77xdN6uVmn1BYrKRp8/s320/IMG_7919.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I then had the wedge salad, which was both pretty and delicious. Joe got the Gumbo soup. He was very happy with it too.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-njFgOBtQHc5HEwf96U1z7S3wAhnA5KrfrI8LguROHlbfq5X8JtfVMhB7ua5j_daY5LM_zNpjokv2lvZJfH8Xl7gky3a90sklcrwVikNDyiizjsXVWUSA22vAl_1GJmoy-advccdUHVMiNrjoJzXALD0OmscGexfkCWTBfNyo2slAfJ_jgIQ/s4032/IMG_7920.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-njFgOBtQHc5HEwf96U1z7S3wAhnA5KrfrI8LguROHlbfq5X8JtfVMhB7ua5j_daY5LM_zNpjokv2lvZJfH8Xl7gky3a90sklcrwVikNDyiizjsXVWUSA22vAl_1GJmoy-advccdUHVMiNrjoJzXALD0OmscGexfkCWTBfNyo2slAfJ_jgIQ/s320/IMG_7920.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joe got the pork tenderloin. I got the prime rib steak. I almost never eat beef but it looked so good I made an exception. We both had the beignets with chocolate sauce and a bread pudding. I had two desserts almost every night! So good. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAlbDs10Tqs3Ze2XN-ZlB5_hUSnA7nnVKXaMJU1uh1U191DU8XQ3eX4J5qI5g8k84Eou1fYroThoKNHNOXm604MvG5StOhnR1rvK4cVm-cgJXMrZmfoQCzzpsm472FdFQ9vvq25IwzYWy6jWeqv3kf5y-qTAZHP5sQqM56wD3ciYHeOVcHAM/s4032/IMG_7928.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAlbDs10Tqs3Ze2XN-ZlB5_hUSnA7nnVKXaMJU1uh1U191DU8XQ3eX4J5qI5g8k84Eou1fYroThoKNHNOXm604MvG5StOhnR1rvK4cVm-cgJXMrZmfoQCzzpsm472FdFQ9vvq25IwzYWy6jWeqv3kf5y-qTAZHP5sQqM56wD3ciYHeOVcHAM/s320/IMG_7928.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tiana's place isn't just a restaurant, it has a show too. While we were eating Tiana was singing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> on stage with a piano player. Halfway through dinner she started a Congo line. There was singing and dancing and clapping. We even did the limbo. The little kids loved it so much! OK, I did too. Afterwards Tiana comes around to each and every table to say hello, and we got a photo. Such a fun dinner. Would have loved to do that one twice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAHngGHMezBeY5zjq0OFCyaIQlfx4sXg5QVXyXnwOhY-FtndiBEoiVT0sFrkgbfdIMQyErlQEd32QTEbp2W1R0fwIUHr_XMwntVBkLxsckbWscFfE6z_TYlXb7o0_bGC8saYRLjBy5Eo6vpmrF5u72RY0GJQT8TzasREo4aiXlXi2cic0xYY/s2733/IMG_7926.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2733" data-original-width="2714" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAHngGHMezBeY5zjq0OFCyaIQlfx4sXg5QVXyXnwOhY-FtndiBEoiVT0sFrkgbfdIMQyErlQEd32QTEbp2W1R0fwIUHr_XMwntVBkLxsckbWscFfE6z_TYlXb7o0_bGC8saYRLjBy5Eo6vpmrF5u72RY0GJQT8TzasREo4aiXlXi2cic0xYY/s320/IMG_7926.jpeg" width="318" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our last towel creation: a seal. Cute!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt730dzPxs1GuQGTmKBa4lzkA-uc5prklNtkMVgRnIHn_V-wCQoso5hLOFO8OM96C_PdZQZgVwXNQlV5H0ngebU5e3pFWGShSwGThbF-LxVvHkmKiTOum4IDRuzIvr2e3QRybMGNDSE6FHBnrq216--Tj0tcNxJ-qe7X0LQrgp2q-ttsp_Xbg/s4032/IMG_7936.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt730dzPxs1GuQGTmKBa4lzkA-uc5prklNtkMVgRnIHn_V-wCQoso5hLOFO8OM96C_PdZQZgVwXNQlV5H0ngebU5e3pFWGShSwGThbF-LxVvHkmKiTOum4IDRuzIvr2e3QRybMGNDSE6FHBnrq216--Tj0tcNxJ-qe7X0LQrgp2q-ttsp_Xbg/s320/IMG_7936.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So we had dinner at four restaurants:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Triton's the first night, themed after The Little Mermaid.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Palo, the adults only upcharge restaurant, which was Italian themed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Animator's Palette, where the walls came alive with animation and colors,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and Tiana's Place, which was my favorite. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't have many photos for Debarkation Day, but I'll write a little bit about it tomorrow </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">because some of it surprised me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had a great last day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717144251342625245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-37597344545435580072023-05-08T12:31:00.001-07:002023-05-08T12:31:30.251-07:00Disney Cruise Day Three<p> Day Three. </p><p>This was Cabo San Lucas, Mexico day and we were excited. They don't have a large enough port in Cabo San Lucas to dock the ship, so you have to take little boats called "tenders" and they take you to the pier. I booked an excursion for today, so we had to meet up with the rest of our party in the theater to be taken to the boats. Our excursion didn't start until 10:15, so we didn't have to get up super early. I booked a sightseeing tour to go on a boat to see the famous rock arch, and then a bus to see the coastline. What I didn't realize is that it was going to take all day and we weren't going to have time to go exploring on our own, which Joe really wanted to do. In fact we had only 25 minutes to shop, so we didn't get anything we had wanted. (T-shirts, magnets and such). It was still a great day of sightseeing.</p><p style="text-align: center;">View of our ship from the pier in Cabo.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRmmVzQRTMilpDdNwFh_CiU7u5u7WblHDYXfX8C1SlVTjZDNlrC3M4nKKaD7LaDNoXX9uHl0lxM88cFlnX5gic9KcCVM0lrZ_tXzymnoWQCrWnvTyzffaBP7hXIR4NW3S2GVkO-0fo_j0bCTOiVoQfsYlaeSph0jF2o8utu86nLEWV6ox574/s4032/IMG_7834%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRmmVzQRTMilpDdNwFh_CiU7u5u7WblHDYXfX8C1SlVTjZDNlrC3M4nKKaD7LaDNoXX9uHl0lxM88cFlnX5gic9KcCVM0lrZ_tXzymnoWQCrWnvTyzffaBP7hXIR4NW3S2GVkO-0fo_j0bCTOiVoQfsYlaeSph0jF2o8utu86nLEWV6ox574/s320/IMG_7834%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The famous arch. Lover's beach is to the right. It's great for swimming and snorkeling. On the other side they call it divorce beach (it's a joke but they do call it that). That side the water is very choppy and dangerous so nobody goes there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_oI8w9XIRHGLAXygPOlbKcmDq51lKS1DjysdeR5qjyR9g-relNmoKFQj5JYt9hFFlPLBfrr3iSxL4PAbz_9vZAzpZxgZbPEETekykBwB2qbF8FUt2sTBHK5stH2lwGjtxwgjdxs_dgEolBiJ1gDiPn815sWF4ERoSTjRVVyY7uX6yoZIL9k/s4032/IMG_7841.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_oI8w9XIRHGLAXygPOlbKcmDq51lKS1DjysdeR5qjyR9g-relNmoKFQj5JYt9hFFlPLBfrr3iSxL4PAbz_9vZAzpZxgZbPEETekykBwB2qbF8FUt2sTBHK5stH2lwGjtxwgjdxs_dgEolBiJ1gDiPn815sWF4ERoSTjRVVyY7uX6yoZIL9k/s320/IMG_7841.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoTn105Bt1eekv47QnR2vJI9unRSRUOuHIcTUXW9bw8Ll9qn7o-C408frC8Z04N8ZTxzmXeINftGwpYvEJHhpViF8OCRRyZA_rOU1lhLKZ0rl-XTmM1Ffj7GUAD17oaQ3ifUC1GzgsYnotnBV2XAYzh6PK4AyzMyFp_BlLbLXAvCfv30XD7Q/s4032/IMG_7845.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoTn105Bt1eekv47QnR2vJI9unRSRUOuHIcTUXW9bw8Ll9qn7o-C408frC8Z04N8ZTxzmXeINftGwpYvEJHhpViF8OCRRyZA_rOU1lhLKZ0rl-XTmM1Ffj7GUAD17oaQ3ifUC1GzgsYnotnBV2XAYzh6PK4AyzMyFp_BlLbLXAvCfv30XD7Q/s320/IMG_7845.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Joe in vacation mode.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa7wF0Wby-52V7Jn23rB46abPRxQOYQDxjN1wfXUB_16pxyoNOSk_EwTOAJUqxY7b2Duoz8dihWK-0qAFrW_f_-7dfzCO8szgcMhRnzo9dm5jv3YjWM97CNmR7-AyovuWK4zGhOb80YRUL6k6RrNvizfK46Vn159ODc4AND6rh13owqI9j1E/s4032/IMG_7851.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa7wF0Wby-52V7Jn23rB46abPRxQOYQDxjN1wfXUB_16pxyoNOSk_EwTOAJUqxY7b2Duoz8dihWK-0qAFrW_f_-7dfzCO8szgcMhRnzo9dm5jv3YjWM97CNmR7-AyovuWK4zGhOb80YRUL6k6RrNvizfK46Vn159ODc4AND6rh13owqI9j1E/s320/IMG_7851.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p>After the boat ride to see the arch, we took a bus to visit a glass factory. We watched the glassblowers make some items before we took a look around the shop of items for sale.</p><p>He's making a turtle wearing a sombrero with a bottle of tequila in his hand. No joke. I should have taken photos of the end product.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCS1gen-UpLGxnd7-AhS7i_JShnSLXLjVQYY7h2FtisdwSydMJD0PoswayoRrec3cVs2bKmWoko2DbInluLEZwUxbPR5uEdoPlruaY7tsvPyHgbuNBcDbvD6CG2PIZonrXJAKnowPMboUc7mJQEMNF6eosjgDLMAG5eYNB07Lg8GVmOSru1G8/s4032/IMG_7852.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCS1gen-UpLGxnd7-AhS7i_JShnSLXLjVQYY7h2FtisdwSydMJD0PoswayoRrec3cVs2bKmWoko2DbInluLEZwUxbPR5uEdoPlruaY7tsvPyHgbuNBcDbvD6CG2PIZonrXJAKnowPMboUc7mJQEMNF6eosjgDLMAG5eYNB07Lg8GVmOSru1G8/s320/IMG_7852.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezg5sS5jEyObaWrQhbR-WVTSFpJyJ3MaUt4_cPIzH5nP6QMP0VQ_szBEDeWgSsZN9SZTJEoDY-7sLulVpMPIUU0B24d0yG3ag1A2xw_s7nkrsk4sTv3RLnASPpns9lZLnJCYPJuDnyKobTsIP2mp-W4mRx-fVidb4LthPE5qWaanJ4u-UuRo/s4032/IMG_7856.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezg5sS5jEyObaWrQhbR-WVTSFpJyJ3MaUt4_cPIzH5nP6QMP0VQ_szBEDeWgSsZN9SZTJEoDY-7sLulVpMPIUU0B24d0yG3ag1A2xw_s7nkrsk4sTv3RLnASPpns9lZLnJCYPJuDnyKobTsIP2mp-W4mRx-fVidb4LthPE5qWaanJ4u-UuRo/s320/IMG_7856.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9shzLe8zJ0Ax6FuG92XtHWOXixT6QaXMvqS9wN9xN6_NDDkTvVuvLmM1_NoFfTAnQzYlWy4LulMp-q3lgN8B8cryoK_JvzmoMfIS0AbBNTHOAH5814thRMQeM-8DCPUoGjVtYc7SAvV-Xoptw-0wYYt_EyUUND5CiYM1ya3ckgNd03fI8VM/s4032/IMG_7857.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9shzLe8zJ0Ax6FuG92XtHWOXixT6QaXMvqS9wN9xN6_NDDkTvVuvLmM1_NoFfTAnQzYlWy4LulMp-q3lgN8B8cryoK_JvzmoMfIS0AbBNTHOAH5814thRMQeM-8DCPUoGjVtYc7SAvV-Xoptw-0wYYt_EyUUND5CiYM1ya3ckgNd03fI8VM/s320/IMG_7857.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the colorful glassware</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQAI6Njg47ol0-9Vs5K8ZflUmOyPqPsm3mP4chWYYadW9uVR9bZ_5HJkcBv8IRWlyTJqrQ4a2vx0UlLOlQboSAinGUgoo8QCgTo6dfG7cIO7Dv86VI64CFoVOWDE2dSpx4DGFWL-la-1L457ao4iwWrjS3dLZCsZ6cRDjiTRsdxAgrVEmezE/s4032/IMG_7860.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQAI6Njg47ol0-9Vs5K8ZflUmOyPqPsm3mP4chWYYadW9uVR9bZ_5HJkcBv8IRWlyTJqrQ4a2vx0UlLOlQboSAinGUgoo8QCgTo6dfG7cIO7Dv86VI64CFoVOWDE2dSpx4DGFWL-la-1L457ao4iwWrjS3dLZCsZ6cRDjiTRsdxAgrVEmezE/s320/IMG_7860.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We bought margarita glasses just like these but in a different shape. They were so pretty. I say HAD, because I dropped them and they broke on debarkation day. I cried. I found them on Etsy for three times the price. I'll probably get them there.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEfPoVmCTe4wKmZi4VVB5fF0oEg4p6wTEeDGGk8ACuPqAkNL9wd2yAUOLDfSmbQraRClvqdCKGMs61L8f3np9iqalF7IMIXtFLcKXUCzaEkmuOA14umtZXzCg0T_i6OOGOPpmYQbIcLVV9NtsF8BTUiM4g-jJ9cwllRFBVsQ4ly5Q6nP7nEk/s4032/IMG_7862.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEfPoVmCTe4wKmZi4VVB5fF0oEg4p6wTEeDGGk8ACuPqAkNL9wd2yAUOLDfSmbQraRClvqdCKGMs61L8f3np9iqalF7IMIXtFLcKXUCzaEkmuOA14umtZXzCg0T_i6OOGOPpmYQbIcLVV9NtsF8BTUiM4g-jJ9cwllRFBVsQ4ly5Q6nP7nEk/s320/IMG_7862.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>They had a large selection of glasses and vases, as well as little animals you could purchase. We only got the margarita glasses and a shot glass for Joe's co-worker.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GvH3jXWebI8o6vjtnFBKFoyqGbA1PEI_C78oByF09FDIUnFZNWnRo54oWZqchzQmNY4JUE-B4hR3sejHXCXTNBGO9FG-q76eXV1i4GMSFo_ouUJxCYZtEvCn6jdjIyj4hwkC0A6MfymZMRvKmKDUf4jR9P94uxo47VeE7h9l631je70kYlw/s4032/IMG_7864.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GvH3jXWebI8o6vjtnFBKFoyqGbA1PEI_C78oByF09FDIUnFZNWnRo54oWZqchzQmNY4JUE-B4hR3sejHXCXTNBGO9FG-q76eXV1i4GMSFo_ouUJxCYZtEvCn6jdjIyj4hwkC0A6MfymZMRvKmKDUf4jR9P94uxo47VeE7h9l631je70kYlw/s320/IMG_7864.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRrJFDO8sNCSHhr0ybNa45z70yVp_tn-zwXHw_G6h_GBXDrrYoiTouap9CrKXJ45JdU7-tuYWKXNgmysc9RniAY4ZtOQrysevh4BhuHurf2Xmb0rmyjm7lxnGvxQDoGboLNXIO2_YC8kDSsgCO94bOFB1AgUulGHXPfAafBmHAWaLJGvAOKU/s4032/IMG_7867.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRrJFDO8sNCSHhr0ybNa45z70yVp_tn-zwXHw_G6h_GBXDrrYoiTouap9CrKXJ45JdU7-tuYWKXNgmysc9RniAY4ZtOQrysevh4BhuHurf2Xmb0rmyjm7lxnGvxQDoGboLNXIO2_YC8kDSsgCO94bOFB1AgUulGHXPfAafBmHAWaLJGvAOKU/s320/IMG_7867.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDueh4Cx9c5EuvcUcsRgonX70irhUnTQkm9NuOvC91l-zcyj6vN1R7WX1rLhTq17YPdg9xc3zQW5LKaxmZLSInsPWOiFIxIsE23WyHOh7vA3nuoxH0wp7kiC76zs2gn0HJfZ7ZXWwvw3jk62Z2k9kFVyHe7VQphZYM9xPhxpMAgD034teKwiw/s4032/IMG_7869.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDueh4Cx9c5EuvcUcsRgonX70irhUnTQkm9NuOvC91l-zcyj6vN1R7WX1rLhTq17YPdg9xc3zQW5LKaxmZLSInsPWOiFIxIsE23WyHOh7vA3nuoxH0wp7kiC76zs2gn0HJfZ7ZXWwvw3jk62Z2k9kFVyHe7VQphZYM9xPhxpMAgD034teKwiw/s320/IMG_7869.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After that we took bus to see the coastline. That's our boat way out there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsTQ5mo-mIGg8AHDRN8FV42KIrDvuCf2PUjHILkK3NlsiGWe8n7c_ZVyRgNlQYGSLIMGReX0NX7ou6uXSEeS4rpfcSZZqy5oo9QntENyzm14389wBcnpMRScv22Q5SgDsxIPY2tNEbAbsU-lwMW3GujDEi4ii-STISG1d4_v8ZjJY74sBufw/s4032/IMG_7870.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsTQ5mo-mIGg8AHDRN8FV42KIrDvuCf2PUjHILkK3NlsiGWe8n7c_ZVyRgNlQYGSLIMGReX0NX7ou6uXSEeS4rpfcSZZqy5oo9QntENyzm14389wBcnpMRScv22Q5SgDsxIPY2tNEbAbsU-lwMW3GujDEi4ii-STISG1d4_v8ZjJY74sBufw/s320/IMG_7870.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTz_4uCFs7nhRkvnyhdRYzTLfviI8oQpPW1cMCPFEiLRaBNhKCi1Vfoo505dvQTAeZqqohm3ZdYgaWQysVNpBzN4QGrXjEPz52a152Qgn4-TOWVoOeDx_GvKQri4PcLZcBps6rRIn6r6LOCPEPpqj_qnRo7rJsGuWCu8J8zDQPQ8vZQ_SyUw/s4032/IMG_7872.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTz_4uCFs7nhRkvnyhdRYzTLfviI8oQpPW1cMCPFEiLRaBNhKCi1Vfoo505dvQTAeZqqohm3ZdYgaWQysVNpBzN4QGrXjEPz52a152Qgn4-TOWVoOeDx_GvKQri4PcLZcBps6rRIn6r6LOCPEPpqj_qnRo7rJsGuWCu8J8zDQPQ8vZQ_SyUw/s320/IMG_7872.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTBfEhBZ21BXFoK0wViJ7huz4ryedlhmgklh1ajT2n98T6Ak4KUzbbzx4o82kQ-scAzcJVG4U2IrinUsr7nhppgUWJYYNdNjbis8oTix9_sxSqnRiVlcwBO2fxjMbFGcjmIfMaTpcptTkyF2qrnpPFbyxfUooeD1PQAKbSxZNVtaW3mdOlCs/s4032/IMG_7875.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTBfEhBZ21BXFoK0wViJ7huz4ryedlhmgklh1ajT2n98T6Ak4KUzbbzx4o82kQ-scAzcJVG4U2IrinUsr7nhppgUWJYYNdNjbis8oTix9_sxSqnRiVlcwBO2fxjMbFGcjmIfMaTpcptTkyF2qrnpPFbyxfUooeD1PQAKbSxZNVtaW3mdOlCs/s320/IMG_7875.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dinner that night was at Animator's Palette. I took only one photo in there. I swear this is so unlike me. I was seriously just having so much fun I either didn't remember to take photos, or left my phone in the room. There was no cell service anyway. I'm kind of disappointed in myself because I forgot a lot of things due to not taking any photos. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These walls start out black and white and then turn beautiful colors as the nights go on, and the screens on the walls have animation on them. Very nice visual effects. This restaurant was directly below our room, so again with the vibrations. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjAh75wiIRsjhBheNdtvdqZNJZUQRSeu2xfuhu9VD708FGE1LAH-FSDUU-pY_cPA0MtOkf4oOK8KJK067F7CL1DOW18KdQY1IUvEHgB0t3ld2ZywU1590j__z8nBgV0_3l72uP4Q829v66UF2FDKD-MYSwufXPVmbIKqUm75_BFwgjXIQeBU/s4032/IMG_7881.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjAh75wiIRsjhBheNdtvdqZNJZUQRSeu2xfuhu9VD708FGE1LAH-FSDUU-pY_cPA0MtOkf4oOK8KJK067F7CL1DOW18KdQY1IUvEHgB0t3ld2ZywU1590j__z8nBgV0_3l72uP4Q829v66UF2FDKD-MYSwufXPVmbIKqUm75_BFwgjXIQeBU/s320/IMG_7881.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Saw Chip and Dale on the way back from dinner. They had their tuxedos on because it was semi formal night. You'll see us in the same clothes two nights in a row because we had the nice dinner at Palo last night and semi formal night tonight. We chose to dress up. Not everyone did.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBbOq1fd_0Hmp6pxWuOkQOIgx9MCjTo8yFt6QwzzVE41cuJoSOeyyX8I7kc1YFC8GY7CZkpkp1XNt3N53Ln1rL5Ymc6usvLFlLiSvEwys__lof_h9CGPupJCNWhimVUMARVTrsewNF9a8kXKbGEYVmpb5zyDZqyFKkKmbI3AG7eWItHefa3k/s4032/IMG_7887.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBbOq1fd_0Hmp6pxWuOkQOIgx9MCjTo8yFt6QwzzVE41cuJoSOeyyX8I7kc1YFC8GY7CZkpkp1XNt3N53Ln1rL5Ymc6usvLFlLiSvEwys__lof_h9CGPupJCNWhimVUMARVTrsewNF9a8kXKbGEYVmpb5zyDZqyFKkKmbI3AG7eWItHefa3k/s320/IMG_7887.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>We got pictures with Minnie Mouse in her ball gown, but of course the professionals photographers have them and are holding them hostage. I'll post them later for sure. She looked so pretty!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-x6PCkFkaO0Jrmjy8Ls_JwVEHk4zZP-kl9Zc6CtvWbeWNGxtEKAQnfqz9PNfws-DKo_6Vfg8T7h21m_5CECReNKXbzzkaYJkzThH88pgAWFC3YieR1U4HCU2WUaGxZZnGEsGhpf01hM9wOd4UpcPLJ8iVfP_OxZgbUHTFe_qmVHrNEUriols/s3719/IMG_7894.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3719" data-original-width="3022" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-x6PCkFkaO0Jrmjy8Ls_JwVEHk4zZP-kl9Zc6CtvWbeWNGxtEKAQnfqz9PNfws-DKo_6Vfg8T7h21m_5CECReNKXbzzkaYJkzThH88pgAWFC3YieR1U4HCU2WUaGxZZnGEsGhpf01hM9wOd4UpcPLJ8iVfP_OxZgbUHTFe_qmVHrNEUriols/s320/IMG_7894.jpeg" width="260" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That was it for Day Three. Tomorrow is our last night! (sob)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717144251342625245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-70173026450927334472023-05-07T11:11:00.002-07:002023-05-07T11:16:55.814-07:00Disney Cruise Day TwoI just realized a few of those photos of us exploring the ship are from different days. Thus the outfit changes. LOL. <div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wE29wl1Du9wJF_x7AFejEAwfBBEevhji8Ez9yJClQ9LB9DOOm00Z1Mk6-I1IzZreuXpaNS3hseh120T2qdah2iL70sm9JhFrfn2joRkb3g8UUhqxZawCRvk5doo5kxZ_FXAu9CFcdFYj21uScBGvJ3mcUAhjH-iyJuj7BzRwAFIXdkXeaIE/s4032/IMG_6748.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wE29wl1Du9wJF_x7AFejEAwfBBEevhji8Ez9yJClQ9LB9DOOm00Z1Mk6-I1IzZreuXpaNS3hseh120T2qdah2iL70sm9JhFrfn2joRkb3g8UUhqxZawCRvk5doo5kxZ_FXAu9CFcdFYj21uScBGvJ3mcUAhjH-iyJuj7BzRwAFIXdkXeaIE/s320/IMG_6748.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>After the movie we went back to our room to get ready for bed. This was our towel creation for the night. We had no idea what it was? Anyone know?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zpGkbpfRFURBMqBDhGUaq0FIOzoQ2UefvaR2aBygJKp98_9Pkwo-R2KvtdGtosg1ReuuRX6aM6U9aYExiKjzplTrCQcaZm191uEbJi_QFaVNorbJV8MLxpchtHCpKBIqsV10NemYrtW_i3VEOH1pAfb8ViFkyeriWENv7mS2N1iIeUDzhZM/s4032/IMG_7879.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zpGkbpfRFURBMqBDhGUaq0FIOzoQ2UefvaR2aBygJKp98_9Pkwo-R2KvtdGtosg1ReuuRX6aM6U9aYExiKjzplTrCQcaZm191uEbJi_QFaVNorbJV8MLxpchtHCpKBIqsV10NemYrtW_i3VEOH1pAfb8ViFkyeriWENv7mS2N1iIeUDzhZM/s320/IMG_7879.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div>Our room was as far aft as you can get. (As far in the back of the ship). Like there was no room to the left of us, because our room was the very last one before hitting the back of the ship. Such a long walk from the elevators! Anyway, I had read that rooms that are in the back of the ship, you can feel "some vibrations". I was expecting this, but Holy Cow cruise ship, "some" vibrations actually meant the bed actually MOVED from the vibrations, and they were loud! You know in old movies or tv shows where they have those machines on the bed in a hotel room where there's a switch and you can make the bed vibrate, for like a massage or something? I have no idea if you know what I am talking about, but man did that bed vibrate! I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to sleep, it was that bad. Thankfully I was able to sleep with some ear plugs and I got used to the motion of the vibrating. This is something I think should definitely be disclosed to the people who purchase rooms way back there. Turns out we didn't have a neighbor to our left and only a wall on the right, so our room was SUPER quiet. (Except for the vibrations). It turned out not to be a big deal for us in the end, but keep in mind if you are going on a cruise and choosing your room. Two of the restaurants are also aft of the ship and it vibrated down there too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today we slept in a little since we had such a late night last night. We headed to the buffet at Cabanas again, but for breakfast, not lunch. I found the breakfast buffet to be much better than the lunch. After lunch we visited "Cove Cafe", which is an adults only coffee bar and I got this cute coffee. I love him!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy74KC0oMKgAxQuvQlzKuk3Ir8Mh_Jk9GxsNOQuS-rC5Dny6ZMlRQ7bDfz2u_fziKx_0vhye4OGLjKz4RVFqHpEWelpljTyUuLT7J_OhBlHb9ywGswjSGaMO1Zg4ohqOsYYg3KBlVRGe2pj8vGrw4hc2UQjjla93HTeMGmDOsgFeChjJ92A0/s4032/IMG_7814.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy74KC0oMKgAxQuvQlzKuk3Ir8Mh_Jk9GxsNOQuS-rC5Dny6ZMlRQ7bDfz2u_fziKx_0vhye4OGLjKz4RVFqHpEWelpljTyUuLT7J_OhBlHb9ywGswjSGaMO1Zg4ohqOsYYg3KBlVRGe2pj8vGrw4hc2UQjjla93HTeMGmDOsgFeChjJ92A0/s320/IMG_7814.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We spent a good part of our first day at sea at the Spa. I forgot to say, on the first day, right when we boarded we booked it to the spa to get passes to the "Senses Spa", because day passes sell out quick. The pass lasted your whole trip and you could go as many times as you wanted throughout your trip. We only went two days but spent a few hours there each time. Again, no photos because it was wet in there and I didn't want my phone to get ruined. Not until later did I realize my phone is water proof and I could have taken it with me. Duh!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyway, the spa has several different sections to it. The first are the saunas. There are two. I referred to them as 1. The scorching one, and 2. The essential oils one. In reality they are called the "mid temperature sauna", (apparently there is one in each locker room that is hotter!) and the "aromatic sauna". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Guess which one I chose? The mid temperature sauna was scorching hot and I couldn't stay in that one for more than five minutes. It was so hot! I don't know how people handle that kind of damp heat. Not for me. The Aromatic sauna was lovely. It was less hot, had a shower nozzle to add steam or cool off with, and smelled of lavender. I spent all my time in that one. When you need a break you head over to one of their showers to rinse off. The first shower was super hot, and again I couldn't handle the heat. The second one is medium hot and just right. The third one was the "cold fog" shower and I liked that one too. After you take your shower you head over to the "heated loungers". These were her heavenly! I don't know what it was about them, because they were simply lounge chairs with little tiles on them that heated up, but they felt so good! Especially after the cold fog shower. I could have spent days there! The spa was wonderful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After the spa we went back to the room to change. We went back up to the pool deck to grab a bite to eat. They have three quick service restaurants up there. Daisy's Dee-Lites, Pinnochio's Pizza, and Pete's Boiler Bites. Daisy's is salads and sandwiches, more lighter fair. Pinnochio's was Pizza of course, but they made it right there and it was so fresh and yummy. Pete's was burgers and hot dogs, with different types of proteins like fish, chicken or veggie in addition to beef patties. I didn't eat here at all but Joe had a really good pork sandwich there on our last day. We spent the day at the adult pool(not swimming just reading at a table in the sun).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our first sunset at sea</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve_0WANWbCNcPriW2Pfgy8qAlK7awGKGxu6Z8BWQT1o4FnWGv1ituLvsJ-xFw7iminuVsp0kyoSCJ1bYNPk1dTbKglBNKN_ImQC_seLTG154uf7Vj81rYwDx26paA241lbyvlewX8VDmGV4AcRCwrC3moJsZmH7XlDiZdFHRaqLyEUta28NI/s4032/IMG_7820.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve_0WANWbCNcPriW2Pfgy8qAlK7awGKGxu6Z8BWQT1o4FnWGv1ituLvsJ-xFw7iminuVsp0kyoSCJ1bYNPk1dTbKglBNKN_ImQC_seLTG154uf7Vj81rYwDx26paA241lbyvlewX8VDmGV4AcRCwrC3moJsZmH7XlDiZdFHRaqLyEUta28NI/s320/IMG_7820.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first sea day was Pirate Night. We inadvertently kind of skipped Pirate Night, as that was the night I booked us to go to the Fancy restaurant on board, which was called "Palo". It has an extra charge and is adults only. Well it turns out that because it was pirates night, no one wanted to eat at Palo and we were essentially alone in there! The service we got was amazing! I mean, the service would have been amazing anyway, but to have the waiter to ourselves was awesome!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkr15zSYjtqEwHBo2lNZy7anAfOIZYrYznYaT7eZF92geT80w6XEQwQI17XrHAuoxn58_5-tlcv9rRGIw0mcAAfknKKuBMw0QNzjdCN-qsfFcsBIIZlb7DmhCt8uZ36afXWgdo3_DF2n0ZW_pE_I2HXKuTHRiIgBKe3wHBLtin3hGTYH7-5o/s4032/IMG_7823.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkr15zSYjtqEwHBo2lNZy7anAfOIZYrYznYaT7eZF92geT80w6XEQwQI17XrHAuoxn58_5-tlcv9rRGIw0mcAAfknKKuBMw0QNzjdCN-qsfFcsBIIZlb7DmhCt8uZ36afXWgdo3_DF2n0ZW_pE_I2HXKuTHRiIgBKe3wHBLtin3hGTYH7-5o/s320/IMG_7823.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I had the Salmon (again-but this one was so much better). Again, can't find any other photos I took of food here. I also had the caprese as an appetizer, and Joe had the Calamari. Both were so fresh and so good. For dessert we shared the chocolate Soufflé. To die for.</div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEXAzwJ3v3-UzHlw7zJ1N4bsrInleP30gpqrILjdMpM6Ivul-jjz7sz3uPLoIx5yIm6C_SNi4YiukAOj-LDddthV2m3YtoFhjfilFPRqbVgotPzVKE6zaQXzy5sGxkvbJ3Y1muOhv2BQGNZw9eGGOGk7lroFjq_lgGKnZ12vmpvZeBY19YUo/s4032/IMG_6764.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEXAzwJ3v3-UzHlw7zJ1N4bsrInleP30gpqrILjdMpM6Ivul-jjz7sz3uPLoIx5yIm6C_SNi4YiukAOj-LDddthV2m3YtoFhjfilFPRqbVgotPzVKE6zaQXzy5sGxkvbJ3Y1muOhv2BQGNZw9eGGOGk7lroFjq_lgGKnZ12vmpvZeBY19YUo/s320/IMG_6764.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSw_3G1X8-zWOmuxC6WnL9w_9694nAuZ8GaDGCqhRegJ6RDih2BD5-7OUqHYu4lvGbZpwHkGteyFLmyonq8ZCQ7lIrc6WPpXDswnWykd6iPfZSt5STc_4GmGwfewRPytx_5Fh-vfNPCEJ7y5a7gX2bIcyF4vyDkH0F-_n3bG7jYJBpRz1cApg/s4032/IMG_7822.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSw_3G1X8-zWOmuxC6WnL9w_9694nAuZ8GaDGCqhRegJ6RDih2BD5-7OUqHYu4lvGbZpwHkGteyFLmyonq8ZCQ7lIrc6WPpXDswnWykd6iPfZSt5STc_4GmGwfewRPytx_5Fh-vfNPCEJ7y5a7gX2bIcyF4vyDkH0F-_n3bG7jYJBpRz1cApg/s320/IMG_7822.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></blockquote><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOy-7jEvHLfCOhz71V_ITkNnHqdkrXPUhVwOJSKubt39FveMuWMcoZc-aO_4WURHJQZFznvU9xfU9PBWgFgGWUGfVlVLq8friSJG8cIYP9Da4KzuEyGh6K5QwQUCgJPfzOxrbZa5Xukj4JieQHd25QNIaQOLgxeqs5-n6yLNpiaMHn_wFu64/s4032/IMG_7825.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOy-7jEvHLfCOhz71V_ITkNnHqdkrXPUhVwOJSKubt39FveMuWMcoZc-aO_4WURHJQZFznvU9xfU9PBWgFgGWUGfVlVLq8friSJG8cIYP9Da4KzuEyGh6K5QwQUCgJPfzOxrbZa5Xukj4JieQHd25QNIaQOLgxeqs5-n6yLNpiaMHn_wFu64/s320/IMG_7825.jpeg" width="240" /></a> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">I found some more photos of the exterior of the ship. This is the adult only pool area. It was really nice!</div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wE29wl1Du9wJF_x7AFejEAwfBBEevhji8Ez9yJClQ9LB9DOOm00Z1Mk6-I1IzZreuXpaNS3hseh120T2qdah2iL70sm9JhFrfn2joRkb3g8UUhqxZawCRvk5doo5kxZ_FXAu9CFcdFYj21uScBGvJ3mcUAhjH-iyJuj7BzRwAFIXdkXeaIE/s4032/IMG_6748.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wE29wl1Du9wJF_x7AFejEAwfBBEevhji8Ez9yJClQ9LB9DOOm00Z1Mk6-I1IzZreuXpaNS3hseh120T2qdah2iL70sm9JhFrfn2joRkb3g8UUhqxZawCRvk5doo5kxZ_FXAu9CFcdFYj21uScBGvJ3mcUAhjH-iyJuj7BzRwAFIXdkXeaIE/s320/IMG_6748.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSikfs1E2SrnG3BdfpkgHNQwiHoYWRpIcu0Qy_DzFE86gUBqC8GQkqUk_RTvidtow_buZc2MRzsoXvLEZcX7ySG3SmDAq6_kmgqDomXXl1zihf_dPVa-JQhVP-3L2fhmKR9jypDWb0j6P-rwULIgvCq5ifAhNev1zFVvKlu6W0OqB7hJVT6Q/s4032/IMG_7789.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSikfs1E2SrnG3BdfpkgHNQwiHoYWRpIcu0Qy_DzFE86gUBqC8GQkqUk_RTvidtow_buZc2MRzsoXvLEZcX7ySG3SmDAq6_kmgqDomXXl1zihf_dPVa-JQhVP-3L2fhmKR9jypDWb0j6P-rwULIgvCq5ifAhNev1zFVvKlu6W0OqB7hJVT6Q/s320/IMG_7789.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Palo was so much fun.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After Palo it was time for Pirate night up on the ship deck. We went out for a little bit and it was cold and windy. The show was very high energy and loud, and we were tired. We decided to call it a night so we missed most of the show. Here's a few photos:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgo23TqtJc7g44juoKWaN5qZj7nAHopYHi-glqCWQJbVXWasTh1Gzp4mh-LysKpHHcE6i6JBn6utlVa0FvqvT4ETdRIqIEmm2x4ThODhI_dXETn17sO-8slMi6Z8O7TYiu5OCSkhu4cpyhmh0SXY64B9zS-k9PuuQSNJ2-1_BfBuzRT8DyIEs/s4032/IMG_6770.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgo23TqtJc7g44juoKWaN5qZj7nAHopYHi-glqCWQJbVXWasTh1Gzp4mh-LysKpHHcE6i6JBn6utlVa0FvqvT4ETdRIqIEmm2x4ThODhI_dXETn17sO-8slMi6Z8O7TYiu5OCSkhu4cpyhmh0SXY64B9zS-k9PuuQSNJ2-1_BfBuzRT8DyIEs/s320/IMG_6770.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSqGR43Y8fX8_CkungOg9-KU4PuMSzuq0gYMtQJwtb701lMt3usG1hQ6dJnR0ZYosk2Fjt16lU5zgWpRqb-X3cGntRjoaI8TKBjP6Z_6OsyTvz5vuVDxNuBjPvCp8YVxbtGScfuq2_va_7xP23-FtnUS6aTa84jN88614wZbJnMegD2QwmAA/s4032/IMG_6775.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSqGR43Y8fX8_CkungOg9-KU4PuMSzuq0gYMtQJwtb701lMt3usG1hQ6dJnR0ZYosk2Fjt16lU5zgWpRqb-X3cGntRjoaI8TKBjP6Z_6OsyTvz5vuVDxNuBjPvCp8YVxbtGScfuq2_va_7xP23-FtnUS6aTa84jN88614wZbJnMegD2QwmAA/s320/IMG_6775.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>They had sent a message out letting guests know to keep your verandah doors closed during Fireworks and to please stay inside while the were going on. Well, they were shooting them off right above us, so we opened the verandah door a teeny bit and took these photos. It was pretty cool!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd3H6FZOn8Qcxjtd3fcaDVk8y7nesWGJ4MptOleCLuPPQhpvSbCIyM99hnj0WHc17gKIpVtbGiacIEK5MkdFxMj04Kge8ZyUX_v9SDJJTe6ZdESuiVml9WYgYjUqFaAKNc1hyZvqvH1tw2q8kttg-ieW8J1VSrV6-vI-EWg9FWywpWrqeiV0/s4032/IMG_6776.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd3H6FZOn8Qcxjtd3fcaDVk8y7nesWGJ4MptOleCLuPPQhpvSbCIyM99hnj0WHc17gKIpVtbGiacIEK5MkdFxMj04Kge8ZyUX_v9SDJJTe6ZdESuiVml9WYgYjUqFaAKNc1hyZvqvH1tw2q8kttg-ieW8J1VSrV6-vI-EWg9FWywpWrqeiV0/s320/IMG_6776.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzB3mWIKV4Uwwp9ND04FAsba8iysQa3TI52Lf-zGL4cMcWG-y5_PlNChpVamzIgbpsdl8oZcXLgNPcRFpoWfB3XKtKc1KulahD9CsNWg5dj4WSHLtcO5gTlWZDzVtjdCkyErHHV5KfFC239dYXsxNvQP4p5ebfKrtDQk4uktd2ViweSsxZfU/s4032/IMG_6779.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzB3mWIKV4Uwwp9ND04FAsba8iysQa3TI52Lf-zGL4cMcWG-y5_PlNChpVamzIgbpsdl8oZcXLgNPcRFpoWfB3XKtKc1KulahD9CsNWg5dj4WSHLtcO5gTlWZDzVtjdCkyErHHV5KfFC239dYXsxNvQP4p5ebfKrtDQk4uktd2ViweSsxZfU/s320/IMG_6779.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5DHmvcLN8ksq-7Sk5aMmSBERtof0y6OX3OS5JKJ8VGhcCQuxltEDDH-55zCaQY_QVRaGYyof8728js1APyi84eP2TtE4r6mdWj1Q6HNQAShJ3CcPZX2KPwDZJpaaOA1Zr88stAnI0UMPWoaNAIzG5XMPtoivin4gOxckH8TXQiogZN5RzWI/s4032/IMG_6780.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5DHmvcLN8ksq-7Sk5aMmSBERtof0y6OX3OS5JKJ8VGhcCQuxltEDDH-55zCaQY_QVRaGYyof8728js1APyi84eP2TtE4r6mdWj1Q6HNQAShJ3CcPZX2KPwDZJpaaOA1Zr88stAnI0UMPWoaNAIzG5XMPtoivin4gOxckH8TXQiogZN5RzWI/s320/IMG_6780.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To end the night I ordered room service for a a couple of Mickey Bars. So cute and yummy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQx69PPq31hBip4eL7JSNq8WrV9jnGZWRa5k2CcC_Nes40VXnewNECG8sFfM7LNcm3wc0BYH_SunCAVZ474E0FDrs6P6C5EewSbPr1EBxb5zEpZazx139nmxpC3uZl-eFh5A7iNoZwoKZaiA-R2nn0oyLgCtpNMYkI-_lwWNr2MMXTdLtvW4/s4032/IMG_7902.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQx69PPq31hBip4eL7JSNq8WrV9jnGZWRa5k2CcC_Nes40VXnewNECG8sFfM7LNcm3wc0BYH_SunCAVZ474E0FDrs6P6C5EewSbPr1EBxb5zEpZazx139nmxpC3uZl-eFh5A7iNoZwoKZaiA-R2nn0oyLgCtpNMYkI-_lwWNr2MMXTdLtvW4/s320/IMG_7902.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCryAUv_ro9c8BERVdvtL9g_UP2k6aOXc8ItghUjjdSFSTU4rFwnvLbjoCcKaXVBhOFB59MBN0IltWf5lbhF3byriHiGeg2TXFopZnZN-Z52nWWqwhesmMfRIUAhbEQ5ItJhmOMphPEIqvScNKXPrCh9Qtb5WIYn6H99ZyrY5nLwSgjYqiUg8/s4032/IMG_7903.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCryAUv_ro9c8BERVdvtL9g_UP2k6aOXc8ItghUjjdSFSTU4rFwnvLbjoCcKaXVBhOFB59MBN0IltWf5lbhF3byriHiGeg2TXFopZnZN-Z52nWWqwhesmMfRIUAhbEQ5ItJhmOMphPEIqvScNKXPrCh9Qtb5WIYn6H99ZyrY5nLwSgjYqiUg8/s320/IMG_7903.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our towel (blanket) creation for the night. A Pirate, of course! Very clever.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxT5BfReMSNv4mAXBEfsMiOQpNRJekCDFh2cBTWQfBT-QzAW4kcgFf5FCwXJQD5tJ2cms7idjsasd-cgHJd9GlGvp0Hlfy2mRCTStFTVkd0okTdKm9HeGxaLDW0jVTDRxRVOSv2XHUe9IagbsBGnqvainja8UaSLHlPj80Zu7LBd2JywbrZ8/s4032/IMG_7827%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxT5BfReMSNv4mAXBEfsMiOQpNRJekCDFh2cBTWQfBT-QzAW4kcgFf5FCwXJQD5tJ2cms7idjsasd-cgHJd9GlGvp0Hlfy2mRCTStFTVkd0okTdKm9HeGxaLDW0jVTDRxRVOSv2XHUe9IagbsBGnqvainja8UaSLHlPj80Zu7LBd2JywbrZ8/s320/IMG_7827%202.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm super bummed because we ordered a photo package that included all of the professional photographs to download. Well, the watermarks are still on them. I called and they said I have to email them to get support, and that can take up to 20 days! I'm super disappointed because I really wanted to include them here. I also want to start a scrapbook. I know it's not the end of the world but I am disappointed that they can't help me sooner. Others in our group are having the same problem. I don't even have any iPhone pictures because I didn't have them take them with my phone because I knew I was getting the package.Hey, if that's the worst thing to happen to me today I'm doing alright. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Day Three is Cabo San Lucas. I'll post that later today. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717144251342625245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-70835172071267953122023-05-06T19:42:00.004-07:002023-05-06T21:37:28.770-07:00Disney Cruise Day OneWell hello! (blows dust off). I find myself here again! How's it going? I'm not
sure anyone will read this, but we did a fun thing and it's easier to share
here, so here goes. In February Joe and I celebrated our 30th wedding
anniversary. Thirty years! Crazy huh? On our 25th anniversary, where we did
exactly zero fun things, Joe and I made a pact that for our 30th we going to do
something fun. No matter what. Fast forward 5 years, and here we are. We (I, but
Joe went along with it), decided on a Disney Cruise. We both love Disney, and
one of us likes cruises (me-Joe had never been. He was in the Navy, but he says
that doesn't count. LOL) Anyway, a Disney Cruise. Wahoo! But Disney cruises are
expensive. When we ran the numbers for other fun things, like Hawaii, or a week
long road trip, we realized that it really wasn't that much more expensive
because all the food and entertainment was included. With a huge gift of money
from my sister, and lots of saving, we were able to pull it together. It was
mostly paid off when Joe got sick in November (and almost died). We had to
rescheduled it until we got on our feet, and like I said, a huge gift from Lisa
and we were finally able to schedule for last week. So last Sunday we boarded
the Disney Wonder out of San Diego, CA, on our way to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
I'm just going to do a breakdown of each day, to make it easier. Sunday, April
30th: Embarkation Day We made our way to San Diego by car. It's
only about an hour and a half from our house. Got to the parking place, got on
the shuttle and finally arrived at ship. She's not a very large ship but perfect
for our first cruise. The weather was a little cloudy and windy and slightly
chilly. I had only brought a light jacket because it was going to be warm in
Cabo San Lucas but I didn't think about the fact that most of our days were
either at Sea or in port. Oops! So much for my summer clothes. The jacket did
just fine. Finally around 3:00 we boarded the ship. As you enter a Disney cruise
ship, the staff members announce your name and everyone claps. Not gonna lie, I
teared up a little. This was such a dream come true for me. And Joe too. We
walked around and explored a bit while they got our room ready. When choosing
our room on this trip we were going for the cheapest we could find. That put us
on deck 2, with an inside room. Joe immmediately vetoed the inside room because
he gets claustrophobic (yes, he used to live on a ship-it's the reason they took
him off of it). So that left us with a room with a porthole. We were both fine
with that, however, our travel agent told us that those rooms are pretty low to
the sea, and if we get rough seas, sometimes the ocean hits those windows. Ummm,
no thanks. So I vetoed that room. SO that left us with deck 3 or above, with a
port hole window. As we were deciding our travel agent e-mailed us that certain
sailings in the spring were going to be 25% off with a So Cal discount (Southern
Californian). With that 25%, we were able to get a room with a verandah (a fancy
name for a balcony) for free! Yes please! So we decided to do that. The only
glitch was that the cruiseline gets to pick which room you are in, you don't,
and you don't find out until two weeks before our cruise(but it was a guaranteed type of room/deck). It was hard to not know our room number, because we wanted
to research it, but in the end it was kind of a fun surprise not to know it
until the end. More on the room later.
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Views from or room:
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Right away Captain Mickey came out to visit:
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Our television:
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You could see a camera view from the Bridge of the boat here too. It was cool.
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I didn't take a ton of photos of the exterior of the ship.
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I decorated our room for our trip
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Here's our veranduh. It was a white wall instead of a clear plexi glass, which
can be considered undesirable, but we didn't mind. We did spend a lot of time
out there though, having coffee or watching the sun set.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMksVzn4ESmEnZgWJdmZ8kN_JmQjkwdResmBDm8ZHveolvDnGx-3Kf61XOZhwqqP5XfrmZkXtedmuy8PON2vTFwSTFBfm5e6-FtpNWZX0ccrbl404J7Rr52Ag-9SXDvsxZ-M_-YbzE51I0wsgtx1ZaNykwl39IOtQ4pvNCixzPDKrGemGr5No/s4032/IMG_7799.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMksVzn4ESmEnZgWJdmZ8kN_JmQjkwdResmBDm8ZHveolvDnGx-3Kf61XOZhwqqP5XfrmZkXtedmuy8PON2vTFwSTFBfm5e6-FtpNWZX0ccrbl404J7Rr52Ag-9SXDvsxZ-M_-YbzE51I0wsgtx1ZaNykwl39IOtQ4pvNCixzPDKrGemGr5No/s320/IMG_7799.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Disney cruises guests decorate their stateroom doors with magnets. I didn't get fancy, but I did order this personalized one to put on our door commemorating our anniversary. We also put up a "Fish Extender", which is a device in which other passengers put gifts in your hangers and you do the same. We had four other people in our group. There is also "pixie dusting", where random people put fun little gifts in your extenders. I brought a lot of stuff to pixie dust to others. This is SO FUN! I loved every minute of it. Gifts is my love language so giving and receiving little gifts the entire cruise was the best! Can't recommend it enough, if you are into that kind of thing.</div></blockquote>
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The Atrium
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We had a bit of Disney Magic happen on our trip. When we got into our room there
was a beer mug there. It had a card with it saying someone purchased it for us
but the card wasn't signed. Our travel agent said she didn't do it, and Lisa
hadn't mentioned it. I called guest services and they said they can't tell who
purchased it, but if there was no name on the card it was likely them. SO nice!
Basically it takes a discount off of the cost of the beers you buy. Hey, We'll
take it!
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We did a little exploring<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfbQczWd_yDSN64RG0N33d0tgejJ0LKW9pXnfjrZnuuBRe6FnN7Hkgqk-m-9q0JS1zK46Nm3YUz2DpsUEJ9BHo_raj1wK6G9AJTAxuXHd-yIHZ5avlEi2TCEBGAlS06HOLqqV23QfyZqQUXAsSYwnkwYaPtwUu6kP3W0xCKxf9cifiU6Jt1g/s4032/IMG_7810.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfbQczWd_yDSN64RG0N33d0tgejJ0LKW9pXnfjrZnuuBRe6FnN7Hkgqk-m-9q0JS1zK46Nm3YUz2DpsUEJ9BHo_raj1wK6G9AJTAxuXHd-yIHZ5avlEi2TCEBGAlS06HOLqqV23QfyZqQUXAsSYwnkwYaPtwUu6kP3W0xCKxf9cifiU6Jt1g/s320/IMG_7810.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>We had a late lunch at Cabanas(the Buffett). It was ok. They had some yummy items but I'm not a huge fan of buffets in general. I feel like by the time I get my food to the table most of it is cold. The breakfast buffet was amazing though. I just wasn't that impressed with lunch. Huge variety though. <div><br /></div><div>Next it was time for the first show. It was called "The Golden Mickeys" and it was fun. No photos of that. Not allowed.<br /><div><br /></div><div>After that it was time for dinner at Triton's. So beautiful in there and I didn't take one photo, except for the food! Darn it. The food was amazing. Our dinner was the late seating at 8:15. It seems late for dinner, but we actually liked it. We got to see the shows first, and then go to dinner. It worked out great for us, and there were less kids there (Yes, we knew there were going to be a lot of kids on a Disney cruise and we were fine with that, of course. But sometimes it's nice to eat in peace). There were still a lot of kids there. It was fine. We sat with two other couples who didn't bring their grown kids. Super nice people.We ate with them the whole cruise.</div><div><br /></div><div>OK, I'll admit I was pretty tired and didn't take that many food pics at Triton's. I just plain forgot! I did take a photo of my appetizer, because it's not something you eat every day. Duck Confit. It was ok. I think Duck is too rich for me. I also had the French Onion soup and Herb Crusted Salmon and both were delicious. I also had two desserts but darn it if I can't remember what they were! I was tired at this point. It had been a long day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRn47ODBt46-Jj-VTfdvQKDMi_HWwZmboitjQBTijzDQkfh5AduM_3_CXZ97lGghQpibADdqCFGvzMKP8BoR1SxvlFtlAMlQfeCL2_ji6zLmSHcqxbVScCs1NCgfi_vRHi8lh6KDLBZIrYQdy51Gg4Co4OTgG0-KQSrzkNZrWKunRrgfb4G-E/s4032/IMG_7794.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRn47ODBt46-Jj-VTfdvQKDMi_HWwZmboitjQBTijzDQkfh5AduM_3_CXZ97lGghQpibADdqCFGvzMKP8BoR1SxvlFtlAMlQfeCL2_ji6zLmSHcqxbVScCs1NCgfi_vRHi8lh6KDLBZIrYQdy51Gg4Co4OTgG0-KQSrzkNZrWKunRrgfb4G-E/s320/IMG_7794.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div></div><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></blockquote><div><br /><div>Well guess what? After dinner Joe gets a burst of energy and decides he wants to see Avatar: The Way of Water at 10:45 pm! I figured we were on vacation, so why not? Except that movie is over 3 hours long and we didn't get back to our room until 2:00 a.m! Talk about a long day. I was so tired I fell into bed and went right to sleep.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6lu5jjYFFBsJuU-q-_vg-j2wj8DtvOTBV7s6movPWIyIkwhSrw0dKNTgx0IENR04kIfhtOwkZfild7-fIL9kh2-X2A2k5Vy48vEmd0DFDowiBe3gRGQNzl97pScYwyaWjwQIG8bXMsRCn0qxLwY7gNwM7bkxdbLVJEov31RLVKVrzVP2xDM/s4032/IMG_7897.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6lu5jjYFFBsJuU-q-_vg-j2wj8DtvOTBV7s6movPWIyIkwhSrw0dKNTgx0IENR04kIfhtOwkZfild7-fIL9kh2-X2A2k5Vy48vEmd0DFDowiBe3gRGQNzl97pScYwyaWjwQIG8bXMsRCn0qxLwY7gNwM7bkxdbLVJEov31RLVKVrzVP2xDM/s320/IMG_7897.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br />
<div><br /></div></div></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717144251342625245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-1143427403478981482019-05-10T19:08:00.000-07:002019-05-10T19:08:51.968-07:00I guess, Part two. <p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Well I guess my last post posted, even though it was supposed to be a draft. It was a super exciting post too. lol</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I guess I’m posting twice a year now. Twice a year posting is better than none I suppose. I hate that Facebook is so much easier. I love blogging because it tells stories. Facebook tells sentences. No one I know blogs anymore and I miss it, yet i don’t blog anymore either and only use Facebook, so I can’t really complain. I guess I just did complain. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Let’s see, what’s happened since my last post? </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">We went to Yosemite and had a great time, we survived a forest fire. After that I had an epic birthday party for my dog. My neighbors came and her brother too. We’re so lucky that one of Lola’s littermates lives literally next door. She loves her brother Gus. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1cFqWgYWqLdAp-T8wG5c7w7eTbcbQMdzs" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1cFqWgYWqLdAp-T8wG5c7w7eTbcbQMdzs" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Q-yp-m2Rmf2a8em_g2TeQmNR2UItqUwM" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Q-yp-m2Rmf2a8em_g2TeQmNR2UItqUwM" style="font-size: 12px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1s4XAlzbKLmc9NgRrUnvNxxQZwUzHOsQ8" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1s4XAlzbKLmc9NgRrUnvNxxQZwUzHOsQ8" style="font-size: 12px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1UQqSFg6Z16jiYD_mIV0bv98zUX0wzlhd" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1UQqSFg6Z16jiYD_mIV0bv98zUX0wzlhd" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1wXvnXvJYjf7j4GRN_PveIOaloNiGDRlx" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1wXvnXvJYjf7j4GRN_PveIOaloNiGDRlx" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">We hiked some more </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1M3hsbvXfl0T-126bIcIT5FtY4ROO7FYh" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1M3hsbvXfl0T-126bIcIT5FtY4ROO7FYh" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1SC2g_XaTAskKoofrhnslwiJvrGjAHa8V" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1SC2g_XaTAskKoofrhnslwiJvrGjAHa8V" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">We went to a wedding in the forest and it was beautiful. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1LtcIrtQYG_13xKgLwjznCcXSliv80E1Z" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1LtcIrtQYG_13xKgLwjznCcXSliv80E1Z" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1VsgB5xms_HDeIP25-aqKzZi37wtv0qQ8" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1VsgB5xms_HDeIP25-aqKzZi37wtv0qQ8" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">Joe turned 50 (FIFTY!) and I pulled off a surprise party for him at the Spagehetti Factory. I almost blew it at the last second because I suck at secrets. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1KUXBPXeoMckfZ6bGM1CJ8MtLXJES9I_7" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1KUXBPXeoMckfZ6bGM1CJ8MtLXJES9I_7" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1CaMd66brwXSinH9F_prLNXC461XGO-6v" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1CaMd66brwXSinH9F_prLNXC461XGO-6v" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1jkuirnSfCRbzszjnqsEx5T8_VwbTYTqd" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1jkuirnSfCRbzszjnqsEx5T8_VwbTYTqd" style="font-size: 12px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1T4ZF_ARtJfza_KSVgqZiYX8BXxqG1aNq" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1T4ZF_ARtJfza_KSVgqZiYX8BXxqG1aNq" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1qgO3ch0DMl4_6WGdIyuSft0swrUuLmr3" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1qgO3ch0DMl4_6WGdIyuSft0swrUuLmr3" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Txcig9uUPiedZq-L1eD_sayaVIJ3PvsB" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Txcig9uUPiedZq-L1eD_sayaVIJ3PvsB" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">Why am I always looking at a different camera than everyone else?!</span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">Cousins </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1eFRE3YS5gsrS7t48ohqPl_Np2A1g8Drv" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1eFRE3YS5gsrS7t48ohqPl_Np2A1g8Drv" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">We celebrated for like a month, which is funny because my birthday comes at such a crappy time that I hardly even get a day. :/</span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">Halloween came and i went as a Flapper. I love that we get to dress up at work. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=171s4gpD2PRhinApyIa4QDaaWvdVofyGg" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=171s4gpD2PRhinApyIa4QDaaWvdVofyGg" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">Thanksgiving was quiet. Joe slept(he worked the night before and the night of) and I was invited by a neighbor to join them in our clubhouse for dinner. It was lovely. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=11vRu3UeyETAmq05DvsqOjkRIStP4KFgh" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=11vRu3UeyETAmq05DvsqOjkRIStP4KFgh" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">Christmas came way too fast and we spent it at Lisa’s as usual. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1hBaWK2HeLG2q6iqs6APqJMe44nte_ne4" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1hBaWK2HeLG2q6iqs6APqJMe44nte_ne4" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=13U6-YcGSkM-uVYiE-bMsoxUjlPawfQQM" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=13U6-YcGSkM-uVYiE-bMsoxUjlPawfQQM" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1PMMwYrXPyEUtZSRJDhv1pDMXmYOHHY1K" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1PMMwYrXPyEUtZSRJDhv1pDMXmYOHHY1K" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">After Christmas we took a quick road trip to see my dad. It’s so beautiful where he lives. We definitely need to go back and spend more time. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=10MBnNMIIEOWwE4H1KSLLXnd8opqMfihd" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=10MBnNMIIEOWwE4H1KSLLXnd8opqMfihd" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=10wpMwvi7Pnxzzx9gPDz5D07bTtCrZejk" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=10wpMwvi7Pnxzzx9gPDz5D07bTtCrZejk" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1hnmuJfaZOgUU7hZCIrAGCUmNmYIVQifY" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1hnmuJfaZOgUU7hZCIrAGCUmNmYIVQifY" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1FZ9cmpBZhNf8-fc2baU6qB0VLbygcvnq" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1FZ9cmpBZhNf8-fc2baU6qB0VLbygcvnq" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Kkmac43bvJSy9D3wm53TrsIo6nbvUbss" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Kkmac43bvJSy9D3wm53TrsIo6nbvUbss" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1oen5TIf3uMKyfpqzdsodQlq1BzJn2GId" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1oen5TIf3uMKyfpqzdsodQlq1BzJn2GId" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1kqMo6rywPDqkLflmzdXNPZltQ00-maYu" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1kqMo6rywPDqkLflmzdXNPZltQ00-maYu" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">We had a lovely early birthday party at my sister‘s that a friend of hers threw for us. A proper English Sunday dinner. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1CtHKcYocCp0f_jWpNUPbIy6pcTmFqPRd" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1CtHKcYocCp0f_jWpNUPbIy6pcTmFqPRd" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">My actual birthday was pretty low key but the girls at work always make it super special. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1q4qNgjK3e6fL_JCgsqeqavZiZ-tIaKpU" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1q4qNgjK3e6fL_JCgsqeqavZiZ-tIaKpU" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1MtAE-DN9PShl8wkYD3NYeK_q9Z16RaDQ" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1MtAE-DN9PShl8wkYD3NYeK_q9Z16RaDQ" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">Spent a quiet New Year’s Eve at home, just the two of us. I was bummed we couldn’t spend it at Lisa’s house but it was nice to have a day to recoup before having to go back to work. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Kt3OiHN0RGJbfYP80Jtnqquqj0dDuWUC" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Kt3OiHN0RGJbfYP80Jtnqquqj0dDuWUC" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">It rained. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1DQD8OeegFC2ngjQctduwhR4jofzo8YJJ" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1DQD8OeegFC2ngjQctduwhR4jofzo8YJJ" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1fqHbyfRJb0GXGK-Otm1q6ngQO4YAM353" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1fqHbyfRJb0GXGK-Otm1q6ngQO4YAM353" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">A lot, threatening the road we live on with flooding. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=15zUbci1o2TsiS7e3X9VE63hH0CxisI7u" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=15zUbci1o2TsiS7e3X9VE63hH0CxisI7u" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1xK8ZZgCTG3RXRkTYGIqSQlnAF3mC4twn" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1xK8ZZgCTG3RXRkTYGIqSQlnAF3mC4twn" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">We celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary quietly, with heart shaped pizza. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1oA0ISW5ZJWRUgWa8xyJaML1TWfmCRdo6" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1oA0ISW5ZJWRUgWa8xyJaML1TWfmCRdo6" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">This dude was found wandering the highway we live on and it was equal parts confusing and awesome. You shall not pass!!</span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1c8sCEXORyJFrJfQCpz4kTTsNUc6_AAs8" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1c8sCEXORyJFrJfQCpz4kTTsNUc6_AAs8" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">It snowed again for the second time in five years and it closed the road and I, once again, couldn’tget home. They need to get their shit together when it comes to this. We live in the mountains forgoodness sakes. Get some snow plows already. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=16-QMUzOm-Hi2Wo_0IZH3DGCItRTTp3ky" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=16-QMUzOm-Hi2Wo_0IZH3DGCItRTTp3ky" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1yFWdWF_Ns01B9oyC6-hCzP96GLPfHo6o" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1yFWdWF_Ns01B9oyC6-hCzP96GLPfHo6o" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1PlUWSkjBWn32n_v2E2GZxSvlR8zT8T2E" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1PlUWSkjBWn32n_v2E2GZxSvlR8zT8T2E" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">All that rain led to another super bloom, which led to a whole lotta poppies which led to people coming in droves to see them. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1w-FyaMnO7t5VJjbDN8jn_NvcDBflAyST" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1w-FyaMnO7t5VJjbDN8jn_NvcDBflAyST" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1kzpTuH0NHaCgGCQQV0d_aWtZgJ4lDMuZ" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1kzpTuH0NHaCgGCQQV0d_aWtZgJ4lDMuZ" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=19eDHaCU2HNNYwxGQxrLGorb5tXbq4lR7" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=19eDHaCU2HNNYwxGQxrLGorb5tXbq4lR7" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">We eagerly awaited the premier of the last season of Game of Thrones, along with the other half of the population. It did not disappoint. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1LQhQ-Ja791bmrz9xIkzsHxB9A4uftP4K" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1LQhQ-Ja791bmrz9xIkzsHxB9A4uftP4K" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1m8i4DIZfVatqVZUp7ANBog1OEed8DtBF" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1m8i4DIZfVatqVZUp7ANBog1OEed8DtBF" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">Even Lola was into it. It was intense. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1jQFbX4i0T8z-jQEQKDLLEMHD-4nDlEtz" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1jQFbX4i0T8z-jQEQKDLLEMHD-4nDlEtz" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">We ventured into Dana point and caught the most amazing sunset. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1d6zfdYULkIXpDODOkv6SL89i_I2JonSl" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1d6zfdYULkIXpDODOkv6SL89i_I2JonSl" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=17ZNTnUmPbx-Ya4OFvSHnO1covhk_betp" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=17ZNTnUmPbx-Ya4OFvSHnO1covhk_betp" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1J9U5nfaCYq25pn1vFM0eDs9D7S4TsJLY" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1J9U5nfaCYq25pn1vFM0eDs9D7S4TsJLY" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">We’ve been getting good use out of some moviegift cards I got for Christmas. We saw Captain Marvel and The Avengers End Game. Both were so good. Last week we saw a movie called The Mustang and it was so great. Highly recommend. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=13xT4MlWd-LA0BIHvIRyz3NWqCAlE23FY" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=13xT4MlWd-LA0BIHvIRyz3NWqCAlE23FY" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">More hiking</span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1krxjTbz-LlTzcr7xg89AjXCo0T1TcwqO" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1krxjTbz-LlTzcr7xg89AjXCo0T1TcwqO" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1GEFuGLClNkLiqrVYtSCtFAeAtiktnDkD" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1GEFuGLClNkLiqrVYtSCtFAeAtiktnDkD" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">I think that’s about it. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">Oh, we’re heading back to Yosemite for Fourth of July and I’M SO EXCITED!</span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">So excited that I had to yell. Can not wait. </span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt;">I always think my life is rather boring until I write out these posts and the. I see that we do some fun stuff. </span></p>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-85089301068073187692019-04-21T11:55:00.001-07:002019-04-21T11:55:43.260-07:00I guess I guess I’m posting twice a year now. Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-44714348721195147192018-08-25T19:23:00.000-07:002018-08-25T20:59:46.656-07:00What's Been Going On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Long time no post. <br />
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Life has been hectic. Everyone’s life is hectic at times I think. It's been awhile so I'll just do an update of the last few months.<br />
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I’m still good on the weight loss. I haven’t gained any of the weight back. This is the longest I’ve ever kept weight off. It isn’t easy. Food addiction is no joke. I wish I could say there is any easy way to overcome it, but there’re not. It’s struggling to make good choices every single day. Some days its struggling to make choices at every single meal. I try to take it one day at a time and shoot for more good than bad. I also try very hard to keep up with my exercise because it helps offset the days when I’m not very careful with my calorie intake. <br />
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In February we spent Chinese New Year in San Francisco and it was amazing. <br />
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In the spring time we went to this very cool thing called The Lightsfest. It was so beautiful. We sent a lantern up for my mom, and one for Sophie and one as a celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary. It was very emotional when all of the lanterns went up and I cried. <br />
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Went on a lot of hikes and started having fires at our place on the weekends, which is so fun and I've missed it. In June my niece graduated from 8th grade and OH MY GOD somebody please stop time. I can't believe both Cameron and Grace are in High School this year<br />
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Took Lola to the dog beach for the first time and she loved it.<br />
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I wish I had just an ounce of the poise in 8th grade as my niece did.<br />
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Over Fourth of July we took a week off and went to Yosemite with my Seester and friends and it was AMAZING. On the way home we drove 101 freeway and stopped at every beach city on the way, along with a stop in Solvang</div>
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We hiked the Mist Trail and it was hard and I was proud of myself for making it all the way to the top.<br />
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Stunning<br />
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We rented a Pontoon boat and hung out at a nearby lake one day<br />
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Stopped at The Madonna Inn on the way home. What a trip. Would be fun to stay there one day<br />
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Solvang was such a cute town<br />
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We loved Yosemite so much so that I’m surprising joe for his birthday and we’re going back in October. We’re camping. It’s supposed to be cold which will be new for us. We usually camp in the warmer months. We haven’t been camping in so long and I’m so looking forward to it. I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep it from joe for that long. I’m terrible at keeping secrets. <br />
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I don’t participate in Dragon Boating this year and it made me sad. I injured my shoulder last year and it didn’t heal properly and it hurts if I make certain motions and paddling is one of those motions. I hope I can get it healed so I can participate next summer. That’s a long way off. <br />
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Been doing a few paint nights and it's super fun. I'm not always happy with how they turn out because I'm such a perfectionist, but they look ok from far away. lol</div>
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We went to this really cool place in Los Angeles called the Last Bookstore. Really neat.<br />
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Stopped at Griffith's Observatory, one of our favorite places.</div>
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This month has been particularly hectic. Three weeks ago I ended up in the E.R. with severe abdominal pain and a high fever. I have a pretty high pain tolerance and I absolutely HATE the E.R, so you know it was bad if I ended up there.<br />
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Turns out i had a bad case of diverticulitis. CAT scan showed infected pockets in my upper colon, which is strange because usually it occurs in the lower colon. Of course it does, because if I’m going to have an ailment, it’s going to be strange or different. They recommended I stay the night but I was over it after being there for 12 hours so they let me go home. I got some pain meds, I.V. antibiotics and strict orders to come back if the pain got worse or I had a fever.<br />
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Well guess what happened about 24 hours later? Yup, horrible pain and fever. Ended up in the E.R. again on Saturday night (a different ER, which was awful and I’ll never go back to that one again)<br />
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More pain meds and antibiotics. Blah. So horrible. Took me a couple of weeks to feel better.<br />
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Before I was even feeling 100% well there was a wildfire very near to our house(that was set purposely. What an A-Hole) and we were evacuated. At first it was voluntary, but I had a bad feeling (we could see the fire from our house) so I went ahead and packed our car with all of the items that were important to us, along with clothes. <br />
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I’m so glad I did because while I was at work on Thursday we got the notice that they were closing the road we live on and a mandatory evacuation was ordered.<br />
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Problem was, they wouldn’t let me drive home to get my pets or my husband, who doesn’t have a car! I was freaking out. Finally a neighbor offered to drive him and my babies to my work. I was SO stressed during the time period where I didn’t know how he was going to get to me. So stressed.<br />
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This has been a wake up call that we have to get a second car. I don’t know how we’re going to do that financially but we have to. The part that really disturbed me was the fact that if my husband had not been home we would not have been allowed back home to get Lola or the cats. I would have been devastated. Thank god joe sleeps during the day and is home. If he had a day job I honestly don't know what we would have done. It has really made us think about our emergency plans. We need to have a backup plan for someone to have a key to our house and be able to get them if this ever happens again.<br />
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I was so scared.
The first night we didn’t know where we were going to go. There sat joe, outside of my workplace, with everything we own, Lola on his lap and our cats in a crate not knowing where we were going to go for the night. Finally we were able to find a hotel that would take us all, and my sister offered to pay for it so we headed to a hotel in Laguna Beach. Lola was fine but the cats were freaked out(naturally). We stayed the night there, but again had no idea where we were going to go after that.<br />
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Thankfully a friend offered her home to us, even though they already had three cats and two dogs of her own. It was a lifesaver. Finally someone suggested I call our renter’s insurance and ask what benefits I had. Well they said they would put us up in a hotel for up to 2weeks. It’s sorry WHAT!? I didn’t even know they did that! So we packed up again and headed to a hotel near to my work. It was a residence inn, so it had a full sized kitchen which was great because I was so sick of eating fast food.
The cats were more settled there and if we hadn’t been displaced from our home and stressed out we would have enjoyed it. We had to stay there for seven days! That’s how bad the fire was. So scary. They finally got it under control (90% contained now) and we were able to go home. Of course our house was a MESS. They turned off our electricity so all the food in the fridge was spoiled and there was ash everywhere. Then we emptied our car so everything we owned was dumped on our living room floor. I’ve only just gotten the house cleaned and back to normal.<br />
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Our renter's insurance paid for us to restock our fridge as well, $300 worth. If you are a renter and you don't have renter's insurance, I highly recommend you get some. It was an absolute lifesaver for us. The hotel bill was $1,100 and we didn't pay a dime.<br />
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Really makes you realize what's important in your life when you have to pack it all up and fit it in your car. Clothes, pet items, photo albums and every photo that I had hanging on my walls. I have so many photos. Our car was stuffed to the gills.<br />
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So thankful my family was safe.<br />
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Terrifying<br />
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It was SO close to home<br />
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We tried to find some normalcy in the displacement and visited the beach a couple of times but we were so happy to get to go home.</div>
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Then last weekend Lisa and Grace flew down and we got to see Ed Sheeran in concert at the Rose Bowl. Omg so amazing! Plus Lisa splurged and bought floor seats, so that was pretty awesome I was pretty excited, but after the last few weeks I’m ready for things to go back to normal a bit.<br />
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Oh yeah, and I cut my hair. This was the longest I've ever had it in 14 years or so and although I liked it long I was ready for a change. Joe is a bit sad. What is it with guys and long hair? It took me a bit to get used to it but I love it now. Hey, it's hair. It'll grow!</div>
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Well, that's pretty much it. We don't have a lot coming up in the next few month's aside from Joe's birthday, which is fine by me. I'm done with excitement for now.</div>
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<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-79295007573945085082018-04-28T18:09:00.001-07:002018-04-28T18:10:52.323-07:00Perseverence<div class="_stretch">
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Thought I would dust off my blog to post this. It's too long for FB and I'm super proud of myself, so here it is:<br />
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<span class="body-text-content">I did it. I finished a year long “healthy living” program I was participating in through my health insurance plan. In one year I lost 35 pounds (plus 10 pounds in the 3 months preceding that on my own,) putting my total weight lost at 45 pounds. <br /><br />I had to go way back to find before photos because I used to not allow full body shots of me to be posted publicly. (Ugh) </span><br />
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<span class="body-text-content"><br /><br /><br />It wasn’t easy. There is no magic formula when it comes to losing weight and keeping it off.</span><br />
<span class="body-text-content"><br />It’s about putting healthy food in your body and moving. It’s calories in, calories out, and exercise.</span><br />
<span class="body-text-content"><br />I’ve heard it said a million times, but it’s truly is a lifestyle change.<br /><br />These are some of the most important things I’ve learned over the last year:<br /><br />Keep track of what you eat. Take photos or write it down or keep track on an app. Make yourself accountable. Sometimes just seeing how many bad choices or calories I’ve consumed early in the day makes me step back and reevaluate and make sure my next meal is healthy.<br />Make EVERY plate 1/2 vegetables, 1/4 protein and 1/4 starch.<br />Eat 2 snacks per day: 1 part produce and 1 part protein.</span><br />
<span class="body-text-content">Yes, I am eating 5 times a day, plus a "treat" (hello wine). Starving yourself is not healthy. Your body needs fuel.</span></div>
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<span class="body-text-content"><br />Try, try try to curb all or nothing thinking. This is a huge problem for me. HUGE. Just because you indulged in a delicious, completely high calorie unhealthy breakfast(which is TOTALLY FINE every now and then), don’t tell yourself “oh well, I’ve already gotten off track, I might as well eat whatever I want the rest of the day”. Try to get back on track right away. Make the next meal healthy. So, so hard for me! Don't take the weekend off from healthy eating. I used to do this on WW. I would literally starve myself during the week so I could eat whatever I wanted on the weekends. Not healthy!<br /><br />Weigh yourself 3-4 times per week. If my weight goes up by 2-3 pounds I’m much more likely to revaluate what I’ve been eating. (I hate doing this. I hate weighing myself so often. Even on WW we only weighed once a week. For a few months Joe put a sticker over the numbers on the scale so I wouldn't see them because I would get so depressed when the number didn't go down. Sometimes it didn't go down for 6 weeks.) Try not to focus entirely on the weight. Focus on healthy food. Focus on the way you feel, the way your clothes fit, the way you look in photos as you get healthier and lose weight.<br /><br />My number one problem is emotional eating. I make bad choices when I don’t feel good (I don’t feel good the majority of the time). When I’m tired, sad, mad,worried. There’s no magic pill to stop that either except: acknowledging my feelings and recognizing they will pass, finding another outlet for them. Not. Easy. It’s a constant battle, but one I’m willing to fight to be healthier.</span><br />
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<span class="body-text-content">After photos:</span><br />
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That's our puppy, Lola. I don't think I've posted about her here before. We're crazy about her.</div>
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<span class="body-text-content">Through this program I truly believe I’ve gained the tools necessary to keep the weight off for good this time. This is the longest I’ve ever stuck with a program and the longest I’ve ever kept weight off.</span><br />
<span class="body-text-content">I've done weight watchers a dozen times, and was very successful at it, but never stayed with the program more than 7 months, and never kept the weight off for more than 10-11 months.</span><br />
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<span class="body-text-content"><br /> I have another 25 to lose to be considered a healthy weight. I'll get there. It might take another year, but I'll get there. My main focus right now is continuing to eat healthy and exercise, and keep the 45 pounds I've lost off.</span><br />
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<span class="body-text-content">I guess the point of this post is: If I can do it, so can you. If I can do it with my physical ailments, and my depression, and my tendency for injury, you can too. </span><br />
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<span class="body-text-content">YOU CAN.</span><br />
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<span class="body-text-content">If you're interested in the program I participated in, it's called Retrofit Me by Solera. My health insurance, Blue Shield HMO reached out to me to ask if I wanted to participate in it, and they paid for it, but I've heard that some employers will pay for it as well, or you can simply pay the fee and sign up for yourself. It truly changed the way I think about food and what I put in my body.</span><br />
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<span class="body-text-content">They even send you a free digital scale (that automatically uploads your weight to them), and a free FitBit that also uploads your daily steps to the website.</span><br />
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<span class="body-text-content">If trying to lose weight and be healthier seems too daunting to do on your own, this program helps immensely.</span><br />
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I’m actually sad that the program is ending. I know I can do this on my own but it’s so much better with a support group and accountability. They have a continuation program that costs a monthly fee where I would still have access to my dietician and other participants who have completed the program, but I'm going to try and go it alone for a few months and see how I do.<br />
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717144251342625245noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-51907018338700693442017-04-23T13:32:00.000-07:002017-04-23T13:34:53.435-07:00You've Got A Friend in Me (sort of)<br />
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<span class="s1">I've been thinking a fair amount about friendships lately.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I think that I'm not a good friend much of the time. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I lost a very good friend many years ago(ten plus?)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She said to me once that she felt that if she wasn't the one making the effort to contact me then<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I would just kind of let our friendship fade away.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I
could totally see how she felt that way, in terms of contact, although I
didn't feel that way at all. I loved her and her family.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I never would have let that get away.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I
thought friends went through times when they were close and times when
they weren't. I didn't realize we had drifted so far apart that we
couldn't get back together.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1">She decided to end the friendship.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In
the end I think it was my emotional instability that made her decide
not to be friends with me. My mom had just died and following that we
were in the thick of our infertility journey.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I was depressed and sad and I withdrew.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We stopped going to kid's birthday parties.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We stopped socializing at all really.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We were in a lot of pain.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Actually I'll never really know why she
ended it, because she wouldn't give me an explanation beyond "we grew
apart" and "I have a lot on my plate right now". It's just speculation.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Losing that friendship was a type of pain that rocked me to the core.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I don't let too many people in and to be rejected like that hurt more than I thought possible. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">This isn't about her.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>That was a long time ago and I've mostly moved past it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Occasionally I'll get nostalgic and I'll still miss her though.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She was a lovely person. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">It's more about me feeling like<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I'm not the easiest person to be friends with.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I mean, long distance I can be a good friend.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I love to send surprise stuff to people I like in the mail.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I'll
love your instagram posts, and comment on your Facebook statuses, and
even attend your online "party" for whatever you're selling. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1">But in terms of actual human contact, no. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I probably won't go to your birthday
party, or block party, or Tupperware party(do they still do those?),
especially if there will be people there I don't know. I'm awkward
around strangers. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Shit I'm awkward around people I know. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">You might be hard pressed to even
get me to meet you for coffee after work, as I prefer to go straight
home and not talk to anyone.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I'm on the phone and dealing with people all day and it takes every ounce of energy in me to do that. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I forget to return texts and fb messages. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Don't<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>even bother trying to reach me via phone.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Not gonna happen.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I hole up in my tiny house on the weekends and it takes a lot of effort on my part to leave.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If we had grocery store delivery I probably wouldn't leave at all, from Friday night until Monday morning.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I'm a severely introverted person.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">On top of that, Joe is a very good friend to me and most of the time I don't need more than that. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I can be moody, and sad and/or not feel physically well many days. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I find it hard to have small talk or talk about trivial things.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I guess I feel like I'm not the most fun person to talk to/be around, especially after a long day(or week) at work. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Facebook can be a lifeline for me because
it is contact with other people, without actually having to be in
contact with them(if that makes sense).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I have different types of friends on Facebook.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Some don't post at all. Others only post funny videos or memes.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Some
are passionate about politics, or animals, or certain diseases they are
afflicted with, and post mostly about those things. Others the majority
of their posts are about their kids or families.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">But some of my friends share a great deal about themselves on Facebook.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Their lives, their struggles, their health issues.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Those are the friends I identify with the most. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Many of those are people I've never met in real life.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I can only venture to guess that those friends are sensitive people, like me and that's why I relate to them so much.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I love your stories.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Little snippets of your life, good bad or ugly.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Many of your stories I can relate to and they make me feel less alone if I'm going through or feeling something similar. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Many of my friends think I share too much online. Actually I would say most feel that way.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Some of them are judgmental.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I
share too much(I do), I only share because I want sympathy(sometimes).
Mostly I share to feel less alone about some things. There's much to be
said about another person saying those feelings you are having are valid, I understand,
I get it. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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That's why I love and miss blogging so much. I miss people's stories. I miss hearing about the grief you're feeling over the death of your mother. Or how your child is going through a tough time at school, or how you're struggling with keeping your shit together amidst the grief or pain or chaos happening in your life at this moment.<br />
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I miss substance, and since I'm low on human contact with my friends that's how I receive it.<br />
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<span class="s1">That was rambling and kind of went all over the place and I'm not even sure any of it made any sense.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">The bottom line is:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Much of the time I don't feel like a I am a good friend. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I get caught up in my own issues and don't take enough time to look outside of those. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I can be self centered.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I can be a hermit. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">If we're friends, please know that I value our friendship, even if I don't say it(or show it). <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Please don't take it personally if I don't respond to you or am not up to date on what's happening in your life.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Please don't give up on me. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">You're my friend for a reason and I value our friendship.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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P.S. Just wanted to add that I don't blame my friend for ending our relationship. I've had two friendships that I let go, but I did try to rekindle them after a long period of no contact. I sent their kids something in the mail and I never received a response. I took that as a clue that it was over. Like I said, I can be a shitty friend but I do try. Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-62614142883828723872017-02-25T18:26:00.001-08:002017-02-25T18:26:52.532-08:002017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just love this quote. It's proven to be very true for me.
Let's see, what has been going on since our trip to Disneyland?
Had a great Christmas in San Francisco. No surprise there. We stayed through New Years again, and only came home dragging our feet on the very last day before we had to return to work. I hate leaving my sister's. <br />
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We saw White Christmas on Christmas Eve, played tourist in the city, celebrated our birthdays and New Year's Eve. Photos appear to be in no particular order. They got rid of the blogger app for IPad, making this post much more difficult to get up. </div>
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<span id="goog_1950412948"></span><span id="goog_1950412949"></span><br />
<br />
Turned 46. It was pretty low key. I don't really have any particular feelings about getting a year older. <br />
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It really does become just a number the older I get. <br />
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Marched in the women's march. Not going to say a lot about it, except it was amazing and I'm glad we went. A lot of people didn't support my participation in that protest, and that's ok. It's easy to sit by and be complacent about the injustices in the world if they either don't affect you in any way or you don't care about how they affect others negatively. I don't judge those that didn't participate but there certainly was a lot of judging those of us that did. <br />
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I'm still doing everything I can to resist the clown that is our current president. <br />
I still can't believe people support this guy. What an embarrassment. I have zero respect for those that voted for him. I'm curious as to what his supporters think about how the rest of the world views our new "leader"(hint: they think he's an idiot). How unfair it is that we're not giving him a chance? (Insert eye roll). The man is a crazy egomaniac. Many people want to turn a blind eye to that, and as a good friend said yesterday to me on FB, Logic is not the strong suit of people who have already made up their minds. There has been a lot of name calling of us that don't support him, with the most popular being "snowflake". You know what? I'd rather be a snowflake than an asshole who only cares about money or themselves, which is the driving force behind every order coming from The White House and republicans right now. Enough about that. Thankfully I still have enough likeminded friends to keep me sane. <br />
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We spent our anniversary in Lake Arrowhead. Hiking, long soaks in the jacuzzi tub and pizza by the fireplace in our room. It was perfect. We don't have the opportunity to get away very much, just the two of us, on a real vacation and stay in a hotel. I wish it would have snowed while we were there. It's snowing this weekend. That figures. But we still had a great time. <br />
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These two still bring us so much joy and make us laugh every day. I'm ready add to our family by means of a puppy, but joe isn't on. board yet. He will be soon. lol. <br />
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They closed down the road I live on for three whole weeks and it was a NIGHTMARE. Omg five and a half hour commutes to and from work. It was truly horrible. So glad that's over.
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Ugh. That was a huge pain. This might be the end of my blogging days. I use my iPad exclusively and I just didn't see myself spending this much time and energy putting together a post. Plus the spacing is all wrong and it bugs me. Blogger, you need to bring back the app for Apple. Please.
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One last photo, because most of the time I don't feel anything close to pretty, and in this photo I do so I thought I should record that.
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717144251342625245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-62992833075500106562016-11-22T19:35:00.001-08:002017-04-29T12:57:45.380-07:00A BreakSo I guess I'm blogging again. For now. I deactivated my Facebook account. <div><br></div><div>I needed a break. </div><div><br></div><div> I was off for 8 days, not that anyone noticed. I only reactivated it because there is a commuter's group there that is very helpful with traffic updates for my drive, and also I get a lot of free printables for my planner in one of the groups there. <div><br></div><div>Aside from those two groups, I'm not feeling facebook. At all. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm tired of the political crap. So tired. So tired of the fake news people pass around like its truth. Tired of the memes showing that your candidate is right. </div><div><br></div><div>You aren't changing anyone's mind. If you voted for him then I have either unfriended or unfollowed you so I can't see your posts. </div><div><br></div><div>I have said many times before that the world scares me. But I never thought it could scare me as much as it does now. The people that are being put into office, and what they stand for is truly frightening. </div><div><br></div><div>Truly.Frightening. </div><div><br></div><div>I know that now is not the time to be quiet about this. I KNOW this. But if I don't step back from this for a little bit I will be a sobbing mess all of the time. I hardly leave my house as it is. I just need to distance myself from it for a bit. I need to build up my strength emotionally and shelter myself for a bit. For my sanity. But I'll be back. I'll be back to lend my voice to stand up for the horrible things happening in our government right now and in the future. </div><div><br></div><div>In time. </div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, change of subject. (I've never been good at segways)</div><div><br></div><div>Joe and I went to Disneyland. We got some really cheap tickets by walking in the CHOC walk(half off!), and my sister bought them for us as a Christmas present. </div><div><br></div><div>We both took a day off work and spent the entire day at Disneyland and CA adventure. </div><div><br></div><div>The WHOLE day. We got there when it opened at 9:00 am and didn't leave until it closed at 9:30 pm. </div><div><br></div><div>Best.Day.Ever.</div><div><br></div><div>Well, except for the blisters I got from walking 12 miles. Those really hurt. </div><div><br></div><div>But the Christmas decorations were up, and it wasn't crowded at all and we just had the best time. </div><div><br></div><div>Instead of just repeating over and over how much fun we had(best day!), here are some photos</div><div><br></div><div>We started with Space Mountain. </div><div>I love the way some people pose for the camera on the rides. I'm too busy holding on so I don't die to pose for the photo on the ride. Seriously every time I get on a roller coaster I'm convinced that the car could fly off the track and we could die. I mean, it COULD happen, right?</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z7e_jNiMHpQ/WDURd5BiV9I/AAAAAAAALEI/1i0lQG7YHEU/s640/blogger-image-1203156675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z7e_jNiMHpQ/WDURd5BiV9I/AAAAAAAALEI/1i0lQG7YHEU/s640/blogger-image-1203156675.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We hit the most crowded rides first. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ej8YYvX5rW8/WDURZ9vBtWI/AAAAAAAALEE/tO-zIFIygdE/s640/blogger-image--1212059269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ej8YYvX5rW8/WDURZ9vBtWI/AAAAAAAALEE/tO-zIFIygdE/s640/blogger-image--1212059269.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Star Tours 3D glasses selfie. It's a good look for us I think. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gYdn424mo-o/WDURWH5SzSI/AAAAAAAALEA/CLq3xhwYAeE/s640/blogger-image-1539814180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gYdn424mo-o/WDURWH5SzSI/AAAAAAAALEA/CLq3xhwYAeE/s640/blogger-image-1539814180.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The highlight of our visit was the Star Wars Launch Bay, where we met Boba Fet, Darth Vader and Chewbaca. So much fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Boba Fet</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8-L_KVzE1mA/WDUV6roMdLI/AAAAAAAALEk/_gYDnw2TVJs/s640/blogger-image-1122558695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8-L_KVzE1mA/WDUV6roMdLI/AAAAAAAALEk/_gYDnw2TVJs/s640/blogger-image-1122558695.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YrlO12t-iFw/WDUVpQFe0wI/AAAAAAAALEU/HXyQ9IZ7IvU/s640/blogger-image-184535066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YrlO12t-iFw/WDUVpQFe0wI/AAAAAAAALEU/HXyQ9IZ7IvU/s640/blogger-image-184535066.jpg"></a></div>We met Darth Vader and this is so stupid but I actually felt nervous! LOL</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Meeting Chewbaca was amazing. Yes, I do realize I'm talking about fictional characters here. But he was amazing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We each got a great big hug, and then he and Joe discussed facial hair. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q8thhtOpIYQ/WDUWGw21mhI/AAAAAAAALEw/ldM-3-7ptj8/s640/blogger-image--1025203470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q8thhtOpIYQ/WDUWGw21mhI/AAAAAAAALEw/ldM-3-7ptj8/s640/blogger-image--1025203470.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YvGKhlKj1dc/WDUWKzk31vI/AAAAAAAALE0/b4HEZPMtzLo/s640/blogger-image-1911765494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YvGKhlKj1dc/WDUWKzk31vI/AAAAAAAALE0/b4HEZPMtzLo/s640/blogger-image-1911765494.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is going on our Christmas card. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have no idea why I'm so squinty, or which camera I'm looking at, but it's made of awesome. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TYwY4YlV7MA/WDUWTNIaHEI/AAAAAAAALE8/EOXe0Rs2CpM/s640/blogger-image--258976172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TYwY4YlV7MA/WDUWTNIaHEI/AAAAAAAALE8/EOXe0Rs2CpM/s640/blogger-image--258976172.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They had some really cool Star Wars memorabilia. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_55HAJlg-o0/WDUV-kOXGEI/AAAAAAAALEo/sQbhaww9SlA/s640/blogger-image--166637662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_55HAJlg-o0/WDUV-kOXGEI/AAAAAAAALEo/sQbhaww9SlA/s640/blogger-image--166637662.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QrdtQYFi674/WDUVtNHdR8I/AAAAAAAALEY/Kmn29gep3Y8/s640/blogger-image--866107732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QrdtQYFi674/WDUVtNHdR8I/AAAAAAAALEY/Kmn29gep3Y8/s640/blogger-image--866107732.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mE7IRDkxgJg/WDUWC3F01YI/AAAAAAAALEs/5weufoTJfnc/s640/blogger-image-1967118161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mE7IRDkxgJg/WDUWC3F01YI/AAAAAAAALEs/5weufoTJfnc/s640/blogger-image-1967118161.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Such a neat exhibit. Highly recommend a visit there. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We didn't see any parades that day, so we had 12 hours to explore the park(did I ever tell you how last year when we went to Disneyland I spent a total of almost 7 hours waiting for two different parades? No? Well I did. 7 hours. Joe thought I was nuts. What can I say? I really love parades)</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">No parades for us this visit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Always a good shot</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kdCIgNEICoA/WDUWbUk0frI/AAAAAAAALFE/rI7u1xFkLuw/s640/blogger-image-1554588824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kdCIgNEICoA/WDUWbUk0frI/AAAAAAAALFE/rI7u1xFkLuw/s640/blogger-image-1554588824.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We rode the Matterhorn twice. Once during the day and once when the parade was going on, when we walked right on. We didn't wait more than 20 minutes for any ride the entire day. Definitely a great time to go to Disneyland before the holiday crowds start. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SzyKFk2Ual4/WDUVxNI7MII/AAAAAAAALEc/joVflX_3sVw/s640/blogger-image--1267580756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SzyKFk2Ual4/WDUVxNI7MII/AAAAAAAALEc/joVflX_3sVw/s640/blogger-image--1267580756.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Matterhorn selfie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-brdiY4GGQTw/WDUWXZcNL9I/AAAAAAAALFA/kvy2JhfwgQ8/s640/blogger-image--704840402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-brdiY4GGQTw/WDUWXZcNL9I/AAAAAAAALFA/kvy2JhfwgQ8/s640/blogger-image--704840402.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Gotta love haunted mansion holiday</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IdPoCmOINXM/WDUWPNq-uyI/AAAAAAAALE4/wAvDrI8thbY/s640/blogger-image--1565081376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IdPoCmOINXM/WDUWPNq-uyI/AAAAAAAALE4/wAvDrI8thbY/s640/blogger-image--1565081376.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aerdZR6_ie8/WDUV2oz_hsI/AAAAAAAALEg/RtlmJ99T5i4/s640/blogger-image--1532450110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aerdZR6_ie8/WDUV2oz_hsI/AAAAAAAALEg/RtlmJ99T5i4/s640/blogger-image--1532450110.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After lunch we headed over to CA Adventure for a bit. I brought lunch and dinner(sandwiches and cold fried chicken) with us, as well as Gatorade, water and snacks. We probably easily saved $100 by not eating in the park for meals. I brought a huge cooler that we put in one of their extra large lockers. We did have to pay $10 for that. But still. It's so expensive to eat in the parks. We saved a ton of money by bringing our own food. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I just love Cars Land at night. </div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sv1uISbt6LA/WDUiDPzQ28I/AAAAAAAALFk/t8ZYbpjggAU/s640/blogger-image--1780622610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sv1uISbt6LA/WDUiDPzQ28I/AAAAAAAALFk/t8ZYbpjggAU/s640/blogger-image--1780622610.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KkqF57n4NW8/WDUidjfOocI/AAAAAAAALF4/0a50FrugBP0/s640/blogger-image-129248813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KkqF57n4NW8/WDUidjfOocI/AAAAAAAALF4/0a50FrugBP0/s640/blogger-image-129248813.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dqjtU1A-xDg/WDUiYtOQmnI/AAAAAAAALF0/GIYQZ-kL3U0/s640/blogger-image-591708270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dqjtU1A-xDg/WDUiYtOQmnI/AAAAAAAALF0/GIYQZ-kL3U0/s640/blogger-image-591708270.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eE-eIiLHMZY/WDUjXyn98bI/AAAAAAAALGs/-F5FfEsh28Y/s640/blogger-image--1797838819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eE-eIiLHMZY/WDUjXyn98bI/AAAAAAAALGs/-F5FfEsh28Y/s640/blogger-image--1797838819.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KXTwu1CSz4w/WDUiPkH-HjI/AAAAAAAALFs/y4UfczVuwFw/s640/blogger-image-1992907356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KXTwu1CSz4w/WDUiPkH-HjI/AAAAAAAALFs/y4UfczVuwFw/s640/blogger-image-1992907356.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There's a story behind this photo. Joe and I went on this ride three times in a row(I love it!), but we went in the single rider line, which was only ten minutes long but you don't get to ride together. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The family sitting next to me were SO excited about this ride. Like hands up, screaming having fun. When we first got on I heard them saying that they were going to pose for the photo at the end because they were going to purchase it. Well I wasn't going to ruin their photo! I mean, I'm going to be on display in their photo album for years to come so I might as well look like I'm having fun too! I broke my hold-on-for-dear-life-because-you-might-die-rule for this photo. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NKJ0wOjTx-w/WDUit7DtJBI/AAAAAAAALGE/wl6qRMvg8mA/s640/blogger-image-923403869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NKJ0wOjTx-w/WDUit7DtJBI/AAAAAAAALGE/wl6qRMvg8mA/s640/blogger-image-923403869.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next we went on The Little Mermaid. I love, love, love The Little Mermaid</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r48Axuta6bo/WDUh5j1XqpI/AAAAAAAALFg/cimmFShO00s/s640/blogger-image--1811039529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r48Axuta6bo/WDUh5j1XqpI/AAAAAAAALFg/cimmFShO00s/s640/blogger-image--1811039529.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_-8WgFs4Phc/WDUi5wWG7XI/AAAAAAAALGQ/fk23QzcW65M/s640/blogger-image--639731330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_-8WgFs4Phc/WDUi5wWG7XI/AAAAAAAALGQ/fk23QzcW65M/s640/blogger-image--639731330.jpg"></a></div>I may or may not have sung the entire time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i4dOn9rzh5M/WDUjTRu8MMI/AAAAAAAALGo/PqglCRf1lpU/s640/blogger-image-1806639458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i4dOn9rzh5M/WDUjTRu8MMI/AAAAAAAALGo/PqglCRf1lpU/s640/blogger-image-1806639458.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cNJyUaxR69k/WDUijfvp9lI/AAAAAAAALF8/gkWGJQGxb7U/s640/blogger-image-535586800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cNJyUaxR69k/WDUijfvp9lI/AAAAAAAALF8/gkWGJQGxb7U/s640/blogger-image-535586800.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lastly we rode CA Screamin' before heading back over to DLand. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Again with the people posing for the camera. I did not let go on this ride. See above about fear of dying. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ndHrKNP5rDA/WDUjGfXv24I/AAAAAAAALGc/AVLhYWCoYGE/s640/blogger-image-1862591091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ndHrKNP5rDA/WDUjGfXv24I/AAAAAAAALGc/AVLhYWCoYGE/s640/blogger-image-1862591091.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I wish we could have spent more time in that park but I really wanted to end our day at DLand to soak in the Christmas spirit and see the lights. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gS5gD3yNktM/WDUjCTpDVdI/AAAAAAAALGY/0DFXAduPl0Q/s640/blogger-image--1204233512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gS5gD3yNktM/WDUjCTpDVdI/AAAAAAAALGY/0DFXAduPl0Q/s640/blogger-image--1204233512.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DyNfocEvx4Y/WDUjccki4UI/AAAAAAAALGw/hzAYd3NXEqk/s640/blogger-image--1077867102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DyNfocEvx4Y/WDUjccki4UI/AAAAAAAALGw/hzAYd3NXEqk/s640/blogger-image--1077867102.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_2yVLhi0nw8/WDUi2ABQCSI/AAAAAAAALGM/2gVxvl5-y_Q/s640/blogger-image-538424476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_2yVLhi0nw8/WDUi2ABQCSI/AAAAAAAALGM/2gVxvl5-y_Q/s640/blogger-image-538424476.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We ended our night with It's A Small World Holiday</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ixPy_JmdTc/WDUiKIefmDI/AAAAAAAALFo/d46VmeXZRvI/s640/blogger-image--1010452210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ixPy_JmdTc/WDUiKIefmDI/AAAAAAAALFo/d46VmeXZRvI/s640/blogger-image--1010452210.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kt0OwR0OVcU/WDUjOyPaf9I/AAAAAAAALGk/0gXWVml14lA/s640/blogger-image--654823212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kt0OwR0OVcU/WDUjOyPaf9I/AAAAAAAALGk/0gXWVml14lA/s640/blogger-image--654823212.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hQrzjMP93UU/WDUinwFT7fI/AAAAAAAALGA/Y0kPHhYmvC4/s640/blogger-image--371466308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hQrzjMP93UU/WDUinwFT7fI/AAAAAAAALGA/Y0kPHhYmvC4/s640/blogger-image--371466308.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5dP4RgCwN8k/WDUiUDDyrDI/AAAAAAAALFw/GQKMl589qKI/s640/blogger-image--248743314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5dP4RgCwN8k/WDUiUDDyrDI/AAAAAAAALFw/GQKMl589qKI/s640/blogger-image--248743314.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Love it. So magical. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nf6JFB0bCmY/WDUh0Kuu6vI/AAAAAAAALFc/PSSaBdEDZPg/s640/blogger-image--1652161012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nf6JFB0bCmY/WDUh0Kuu6vI/AAAAAAAALFc/PSSaBdEDZPg/s640/blogger-image--1652161012.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hate this photo because my hair is a mess, and my makeup is all but gone but I also love it because that photo represents the end of a great day. Such a great day. It was exactly what I needed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RUAve2RU8e0/WDUjKmNMa7I/AAAAAAAALGg/TENwVtS_u50/s640/blogger-image-55859832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RUAve2RU8e0/WDUjKmNMa7I/AAAAAAAALGg/TENwVtS_u50/s640/blogger-image-55859832.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had blisters on my feet that took days to heal, but so worth it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cxvMn3ofkm4/WDUi954brWI/AAAAAAAALGU/GkkWrG3tAmM/s640/blogger-image-464363409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cxvMn3ofkm4/WDUi954brWI/AAAAAAAALGU/GkkWrG3tAmM/s640/blogger-image-464363409.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-79664716668124396462016-11-13T15:08:00.000-08:002016-11-13T15:11:02.570-08:00The Post About PoliticsI'm about to do something I've never done on this blog, in the entire 9 years it has been in existence,<br />
and that is talk about politics.<br />
<br />
So we have voted into office a pseudo celebrity with zero political experience. ZERO. He is the most unqualified candidate to ever be elected into office. History was made in that regard. (Yay us)<br />
<br />
I am disappointed. I am sad. I am in disbelief. I am not these things because I lost. Not because "my" candidate lost and "yours" won. It isn't about Democrats and Republicans. It isn't about party lines. <br />
<br />
I am sad because in addition to having zero political experience, we also voted into office a candidate who spewed hate and racism his entire campaign(whether you believe it or not).<br />
<br />
This is an excellent article on why I am sad:<br />
<a href="http://johnpavlovitz.com/2016/11/09/heres-why-we-grieve-today/" target="_blank">This is Why We Grieve Trump</a><br />
<br />
Many of my friends have shared this sentiment regarding the election results.<br />
<br />
"Regardless of how I feel about him I will need to respect him because he will be our Commander in Chief."<br />
<br />
To that I say NO. I do not have to respect him. Accept it? Yes. Respect? No. I refuse to respect a man who has zero respect for me as a woman.<br />
<br />
Many, many people have shown zero respect for our current President over the last 8 years. They have voiced dissatisfaction, and often contempt at every turn. Article after article, shared on FB stating what a horrible president he is and has been. That's not respect. But it's our right, because we live in a democracy and practice free speech to speak out about our elected leaders if we don't agree with them(or don't like them).<br />
<br />
Trump himself shows no respect for our current president.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/9-ways-trump-insulted-obama-231184" target="_blank">9 of the nastiest things Trump has said about Obama</a><br />
<br />
So no, don't expect me to respect this man as our president. Because I don't, and I won't.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
For the first time in a long time I'm scared for our future. <br />
<br />
I'm scared for all of my friends who have children adopted from other countries who are WORRIED they will be sent back to where they came from. It doesn't matter how likely that is or isn't. What matters is that the future POTUS is saying things that make them feel this way. Kids are smart. Kids pay attention. They feel the hatred and fear in the air.<br />
<br />
Two separate friends(actual, IRL friends that I know, not a friend of a fb friend) posted about incidents that happened the day after the election where kids on the playground were telling kids of color they needed to "go back home" because we are "building a wall".<br />
<br />
In fact, racist incidents are up since the election:<br />
<a href="http://time.com/4569129/racist-anti-semitic-incidents-donald-trump/" target="_blank">Time magazine article on the rise in racist incidents since the election</a><br />
<br />
It's a different world we live in where kids are mimicking hateful words they heard from our President elect, and not just from home, or wherever else they might hear racist speech. <br />
<br />
When is the last time we elected a president where we needed actual advice on how to talk to our children about it because they're scared? I can't remember one.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/talking-to-kids-about-trumps-victory" target="_blank">Talking to Kids About Trump's Victory</a><br />
<a href="http://time.com/4263213/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-donald-trump/" target="_blank">How To Talk to Your Kids About Donald Trump</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I will try to be understanding of your views if you are tired of the "establishment" and think that he will shake things up.<br />
<br />
I will try to be understanding of your point of view if you think he is a good businessman who can get our country out of debt.<br />
<br />
I will try to be understanding of your point of view if Obamacare was a failure for your family(it wasn't for mine).<br />
<br />
I will try to be understanding of your point of view if you voted for him because he is Conservative and you wanted conservative members of the Supreme Court. <br />
<br />
I will try to be understanding of your point of view if you voted for him because you abhor her.<br />
<br />
I don't understand those beliefs, but I can try.<br />
<br />
But I cannot be understanding of your point of view if you refuse to admit that he ran on a platform of hate. If you refuse to admit that he is a misogynist. If you refuse to acknowledge the racist things he has said, over and over again.<br />
<br />
I cannot and will not debate you on those things, because they are the truth. If you can honestly go back and research his campaign from the beginning and deny that those things happened, then you are denying the truth, and that I will never understand or be in agreement with. <br />
<br />
If we are "online friends", then fine, no problem we can coexist without those topics because I will unfollow or refuse to debate if they come up.<br />
<br />
It's my actual friends and family who support Trump that I am concerned about. First of all, don't bring it up to me. Ever. Don't expect me to discuss your views on why Donald Trump is not racist. If it comes up, don't be surprised if I get up and walk away. It's more than a case of "agree to disagree". Hopefully we can still talk, or get together without this topic coming up. Because that's the only way I'll be able to do that. I still love you because you're my friend, but don't expect me to understand your blatant disregard for the truth about his racist tendencies. <br />
<br />
<br />
There countless articles on racist, misogynistic things Trump has said. Out loud. In public. If you believe the media is against him or "spinning things", then clearly nothing will sway you into believing the truth. He has a history of racism, dating back to the 80's. <br />
<br />
Here's a couple:<br />
<a href="http://www.politico.eu/article/15-most-offensive-things-trump-campaign-feminism-migration-racism/" target="_blank">The 15 Most Offensive Things That Have Come Out of Trump's Mouth</a><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/EnoughTrumpSpam/comments/4r2yxs/a_final_response_to_the_tell_me_why_trump_is/" target="_blank">A Final Response to the "Tell me why Trump is racist"</a><br />
<a href="http://fortune.com/2016/06/07/donald-trump-racism-quotes/" target="_blank">Is Donald Trump a Racist? Here's What His Record Shows</a><br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-racist-examples_us_56d47177e4b03260bf777e83" target="_blank">13 Examples of Donald Trump Being Racist</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/24/opinion/sunday/is-donald-trump-a-racist.html?_r=0" target="_blank">Is Donald Trump a Racist?</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Your argument is invalid.<br />
<br />
But hey, let's make America great again.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm prepared to receive some backlash on this. That's fine, but anything hateful will be deleted. I am entitled to my opinion. It's my blog. You're entitled to your opinion, as long as it is respectful of mine. Otherwise take it elsewhere.<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-58127477130847578752016-07-21T20:00:00.001-07:002016-07-21T20:29:16.348-07:00Me<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YleMCU6SEQA/V5GTBwac2SI/AAAAAAAALBE/RIDmuKl5iV8/s640/blogger-image--185602142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YleMCU6SEQA/V5GTBwac2SI/AAAAAAAALBE/RIDmuKl5iV8/s640/blogger-image--185602142.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm the kind of person who can't watch the news because it makes me sad. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm the kind of person who wears my heart on my sleeve. </div><div><br></div><div> I'm the kind of person who puts my all into everything that I do, and am disappointed if I can't do it perfectly. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm the kind of person who tries very hard to say what I mean and mean what I say. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I'm the kind of person who gets very disappointed in other people when they don't. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I'm the kind of person who goes all out to plan a beautiful baby shower for a co-worker, then cries a little on the way home because even after all these years it's still hard to oooooh and ahhhhh over all of the cute baby clothes without thinking of Sophie. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm the kind of person who hides in my house all weekend because I don't have the energy to face even one person. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm the kind of person who lies in bed when the alarm goes off some mornings feeling like I don't have the energy to get out of bed, then gives myself a pep talk until I do. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm the kind of person who often has very dark thoughts on the inside but portrays a happy facade on the outside.</div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm the kind of person who takes things people do or say very personally, even when I shouldn't. </span></div><div><br></div><div>I'm the kind of person who takes self hatred and self loathing to a new level.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm the kind of person who can't let go of past hurts, no matter how hard I try. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm the kind of person who just wants everyone to get along. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm the kind of person who often feels left out. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm the kind of person who lies awake at night and can't sleep because of the terror in the world. </span></div><div><br></div><div>I'm the kind of person who cries when I'm angry. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm the kind of person who gets their feelings hurt easily. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm the kind of person who has no tolerance for people that spew hate and racism. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">the kind of person who wants to make everyone happy, even if trying to do so makes me stressed and unhappy.</span></div><div><br></div><div>I'm the kind of person who wants to hide under the covers of my bed until this election is over and wonders how I'll ever make it to November. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm the kind of person who wants to shut down my Facebook account almost daily but would miss my friends if I did. </div><div><br></div><div> </div><div>I'm the kind of person who overthinks things times a thousand. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm the kind of person who feels a million feelings at once, and then nothing at all. </span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Sometimes it's so tiring being me, I wish I could be someone else for a just little while. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bGFgCyu_FAA/V5GSzCaJh6I/AAAAAAAALBA/F7dMQtg4_s0/s640/blogger-image--1334261774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bGFgCyu_FAA/V5GSzCaJh6I/AAAAAAAALBA/F7dMQtg4_s0/s640/blogger-image--1334261774.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-20565593933009061462016-07-16T14:00:00.001-07:002016-07-16T19:51:46.895-07:00Shed A Little Light<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l7DQLAaPAJ0/V4qgGMblxxI/AAAAAAAAK_8/JyvIb1QXk7I/s640/blogger-image--1019314808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l7DQLAaPAJ0/V4qgGMblxxI/AAAAAAAAK_8/JyvIb1QXk7I/s640/blogger-image--1019314808.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> "So much darkness. Offer whatever light you can". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Sandra Boynton</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I miss blogging but I don't take the time to read other blogs. </div><div><br></div><div>I miss writing, but I don't write, aside from two line sentences on Facebook. </div><div><br></div><div>I want to feel better physically, but I struggle with making the right choices nutritionally, or having the energy(or motivation)to move my body daily. </div><div><br></div><div>I want joe to have a different job so we can sleep in the same bed at the same time again, but I'm terrified for him to make a change. What if they don't give him full time hours? What if his boss doesn't like him? What if he gets laid off again?(This thought followed by hyperventilation). His job is stable and they like him there and they give him time off when he asks for it. So I want him to stay. But I also want him to go because the opposite shift thing is tiring. </div><div><br></div><div>I want to get a second car but I'm worried about having a car payment. </div><div><br></div><div>My life is full of contradictions right now. </div><div><br></div><div>Work is stressful. It's summer. It's always stressful in the summertime. I know this, I've been there almost 5 years(five.years!), it shouldn't come as a surprise. </div><div><br></div><div>But I still let it stress me out. </div><div><br></div><div>I want to be able to accommodate every patient that wants to come see us. I want patients to be able to get their medications affordably, and if their insurance won't allow it, I want to fight their ins until they can(I win roughly half the time but it's time consuming and frustrating). I want the drug reps to be happy and get paid because they are people too and have families to support. I want our doctors to have the perfect schedule. Not too many patients, but not too few. (The not too few isn't a problem right now)</div><div><br></div><div>I want to make everyone happy. </div><div><br></div><div>I know that it is impossible to do so, but when I can't it makes me stressed. I need to let that shit go. I cannot make everyone happy. I can only do what I can do. </div><div><br></div><div>In addition to the day to day stresses there is the state of the world. </div><div><br></div><div>The world is a scary place right now. </div><div><br></div><div>Hundreds and hundreds of people being killed and injured in Terror attacks. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">People being shot in the street, both civilians and police officers. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>I spend more time than I should pouring over the faces of people who died in the last week alone. My heart breaks for all of them, but especially for their loved ones. I feel sad a lot of the time. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Candidates who terrify me vying to be leader of our country. </span></div><div><br></div><div>I have not been directly affected by any of these scary things as of yet. I'm safe in my little bubble but sometimes I lie awake at night and think that some day it will reach me. </div><div><br></div><div>Some of that violence and terror could infiltrate my little world eventually, right? And if not, why not? Why am I the lucky one?</div><div><br></div><div>I know that kind of thinking is a dead end street. It serves no purpose. I can't hide away in my little home. I have to live my life, despite the evil and terror in the world. </div><div><br></div><div>But there are days like today, where I hole up in our little house with the curtains drawn where I can't seem to find the courage to even leave the house to go retrieve something from my car or go pick up the mail. Joe calls it turtling. </div><div><br></div><div>Today I'm turtling. Pulling my head inside my shell and ignoring the world outside. </div><div> </div><div>I'm searching for ways to help somehow, even if just a tiny little bit. Sending gift cards or small donations of money(even just $10) where they are needed. Hand writing and sending cards to cheer up someone that might need a little brightness in their day. </div><div>It makes me feel a little less helpless. Not a lot, but a little. </div><div><br></div><div>Despite all of the above, Joe and I have had some opportunities to visit my sister and get away from it all, which helps. We did a quick weekend trip for Cameron's 8th grade graduation. Don't even get me started on the fact that he's turning 15. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KL5vsQWU570/V4qgAQsukPI/AAAAAAAAK_0/ewo0kqJi36Y/s640/blogger-image--636807154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KL5vsQWU570/V4qgAQsukPI/AAAAAAAAK_0/ewo0kqJi36Y/s640/blogger-image--636807154.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Then a couple of weeks later we headed back up for our annual Fourth of July trip to the Russian River with Lisa and a group of her friends. Had a fabulous time, as usual. I'll spare you the dozens of photos that look the same as the last four years and only leave you with a couple. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E9CsDOD1HKc/V4qgL6RTlKI/AAAAAAAALAE/zlVMz0Af6KQ/s640/blogger-image-1282893440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E9CsDOD1HKc/V4qgL6RTlKI/AAAAAAAALAE/zlVMz0Af6KQ/s640/blogger-image-1282893440.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-98hdSnRuIt0/V4qgO3r1VlI/AAAAAAAALAI/U6_dD1A1I5w/s640/blogger-image-645935785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-98hdSnRuIt0/V4qgO3r1VlI/AAAAAAAALAI/U6_dD1A1I5w/s640/blogger-image-645935785.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AOTX3AcKC9k/V4qgDbuHFRI/AAAAAAAAK_4/rEriGKkB0eo/s640/blogger-image-983814180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AOTX3AcKC9k/V4qgDbuHFRI/AAAAAAAAK_4/rEriGKkB0eo/s640/blogger-image-983814180.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YZlGwWlvZjs/V4qgXgxBb4I/AAAAAAAALAU/8SjeXgbStpc/s640/blogger-image-673385940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YZlGwWlvZjs/V4qgXgxBb4I/AAAAAAAALAU/8SjeXgbStpc/s640/blogger-image-673385940.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-owzBUjGFuQM/V4qgJHd2LiI/AAAAAAAALAA/h3Ig_Zz6QUY/s640/blogger-image--1992804212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-owzBUjGFuQM/V4qgJHd2LiI/AAAAAAAALAA/h3Ig_Zz6QUY/s640/blogger-image--1992804212.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JOt50tuAZsc/V4qgU6sbrDI/AAAAAAAALAQ/deKmWCDiEyg/s640/blogger-image--660735421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JOt50tuAZsc/V4qgU6sbrDI/AAAAAAAALAQ/deKmWCDiEyg/s640/blogger-image--660735421.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F56KsfAch8s/V4qf9kXJQsI/AAAAAAAAK_w/VIHG-JEFloA/s640/blogger-image-870305300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F56KsfAch8s/V4qf9kXJQsI/AAAAAAAAK_w/VIHG-JEFloA/s640/blogger-image-870305300.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>For anyone that needs it right now, I send positive thoughts and a virtual hug your way. The world is a scary place but I continue to believe that people are mostly good. If we all spared a moment to do one small act of kindness a day the world would be a better place. I'm gong to try to be better about that.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zrWu93ikOQI/V4qgRr2JAFI/AAAAAAAALAM/6LeXQpsCRYY/s640/blogger-image--429291103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zrWu93ikOQI/V4qgRr2JAFI/AAAAAAAALAM/6LeXQpsCRYY/s640/blogger-image--429291103.jpg"></a></div><br></div> </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm actively looking for other ways to shed a little light to people in need, if anyone has any links or suggestions for me. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">******Shed A Little Light is my favorite James Taylor song. </span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-12232146235280956552016-05-14T17:11:00.000-07:002016-05-14T17:11:33.888-07:002016 Recap February2016 Recap Part 2. Again, this was all on fb so you might have Deja Vu and can skip it if you want.<br />
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Caught some stunning sunsets in February, although I was counting down the days until Daylight Saving time ended. I hate it being dark when I get off of work!<br />
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Got a couple of rides in. Sadly, I haven't really ridden since. I've been plagued with thyroid troubles since the New Year(more on that later) and I've been feeling just plain crappy.</div>
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Found some oldie but goodie photos of me in my horseshoe days. Top overall rider in the state of CA Bay-bee. Man that was forever ago. I'm 16 in this photo.</div>
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Valentine's Day and our anniversary were lovely. </div>
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We had dinner at The Storybook Cafe in The Grand Californian again.</div>
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The dessert buffet is my favorite.</div>
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They gave us these very cute buttons when we told them it was our anniversary.</div>
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Unfortunately when we left they charged us $48 for going over our 3 hour free time limit(we parked at the hotel), even though TWO people told us we had 3 hours from the time our ticket was validated at the restaurant, and not from the time we parked. Forty.Eight.Dollars. That's highway robbery. I get it, they are discouraging people from parking there and going to the theme parks but still. It was a mistake(and it was their fault for giving out the wrong information), and they could have made it right if they wanted to and they just didn't want to. This is the first time we have ever been disappointed in the customer service at Disney. That's a $48 button you're looking at right there. We didn't let it spoil our night. We still had a wonderful time.</div>
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Anniversary manicure</div>
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The Saturday night before Valentine's Day I had this harebrained idea to make some Valentine's treats for my co-workers that required the baking of 5 dozen cupcakes.<br />
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Yes, I bought too much mix, and not enough frosting. I'm not good at math.</div>
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5 dozen cupcakes is a lot.</div>
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But they turned out so cute. Cupcakes in a jar. Pinterest idea, of course.<br />
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My Sees-ter sent this yummy edible arrangement to my work. Everyone enjoyed it.<br />
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Joe broke our don't-buy-valentinesday-stuff and brought me flowers and a balloon. We don't buy Valentine's Day stuff or flowers even for our anniversary because it's three times the cost. We usually wait until the next week when things are back to normal price, and chocolate is 75% off.</div>
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And Champagne of course. Gotta have champagne for your anniversary.</div>
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23 years. Hard to believe.</div>
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In March The X-Files returned to television. Yay! Joe and I were both very excited. </div>
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Mulder and Scully 4Ever.</div>
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We both enjoyed the episodes, but were disappointed in the ending. </div>
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<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717144251342625245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-68606620948703881062016-04-06T15:05:00.002-07:002016-04-06T15:05:34.472-07:002016 recapThought I'd post here because some day I'm going to publish this blog into a book(yeah, right) and I can't seem to let go of this(blog).<br />
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Plus I'm home sick today and completely bored and this is giving me something to do.<br />
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None of this stuff is new to my fb friends, so skip it if it's too boring. :)<br />
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Christmas was awesome, as usual. We spent it at my Sees-ters(of course). <br />
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The kids got hover boards(the non catch-on-fire kind). I didn't go near them because everywhere I turned on the internet were videos of people falling off of them and almost breaking their necks trying them out and if that's going to happen to someone it would happen to me.<br />
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I got this fashionable new hat<br />
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And some cute kitchen stuff in a forest animal theme<br />
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Christmas Day we went to the movies to see Star Wars(for the second time) and it.was.awesome. We both loved it.</div>
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Grace is totally a pro at the hoverboard and made it look totally easy. I still didn't try it.<br />
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Grace is standing on her hoverboard. She's not that tall. Yet.</div>
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We were lucky enough to stay through New Years this year which we haven't been able to do in I don't know how long. At least 10 years. So grateful for my job letting me have the time off to do so. After New Years we headed off to Tahoe. It was beautiful and it snowed and it was magical. Such a wonderful vacation.</div>
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It turns out I love snow. When we are on vacation and it doesn't negatively affect my life in any way(see December of 2015 post. Blech.)</div>
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Do you want to build a snowman? No? Us either, as evidenced by the lame, unfinished one we attempted to build. Building a snowman is hard! <br />
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The hotel we stayed at was a winter wonderland at night.</div>
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On the way home we decided to stop at the church we were married in 23 years ago. It's only a 25 minute drive from Tahoe. We hadn't been there in 10 years or so.<br />
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I just love this church so much. One day I would love to attend services there. It is always closed when we visit.<br />
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Joe cool<br />
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Still young at heart<br />
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While we were there Joe surprised me and got down on one knee and proposed to me again. So sweet! It's been a long hard road at times for us, but I'm proud of us for weathering the storm and persevering. I love him very much.</div>
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Such a great trip</div>
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When we got home from Tahoe we decided to play tourist around downtown San Francisco(although we have been there dozens of times). </div>
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The Japanese Tea Garden is one of our favorite places. So peaceful and serene. It was raining but we didn't let that stop us from having a wonderful time.</div>
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We had some snacks at the restaurant there. Best Udon soup I've had.</div>
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Made a quick stop in Chinatown to do some shopping afterwards.</div>
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HAD to have some pork buns. So good.</div>
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It was very pretty in the rain.<br />
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It was so great to spend New Year's Eve with them. We even got to celebrate our birthdays together, which we NEVER get to do, seeing as though our birthday is on Jan 5th and we are both back to work by then.<br />
New Year's nails<br />
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New Year's Eve festivities</div>
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Birthday dinner. As part of my present, Lisa and I got our makeup done at Sephora. Can I have them come to my house and do my makeup every time I have a special occasion? Please?</div>
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Twinsies</div>
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Lisa gave me her "good" camera for my birthday. OMG so excited! Have I used it yet? No. Mostly because I'm lame and forget to take it places. I am thinking about signing up for a photography class since I have no idea how to use this thing.</div>
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After that it was time to go home.</div>
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The girls at work made my actual birthday very special(my job rocks). Joe got me this beautiful orchid and a cookbook with different salads you can put in mason jars. My sister sent me this adorable pillow and garden flag. When you live in a trailer, you might as well own it. lol</div>
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Love.<br />
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This is getting kind of long so I'm thinking I should divide it up into several posts. </div>
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To be continued.........</div>
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<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717144251342625245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-51203375285730195022015-11-20T23:01:00.000-08:002015-11-20T23:01:00.238-08:00Exhale<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I wrote a fb post the other day, and it turned out kind of lengthy and I realized I wanted to write. Where is the place I come when I want to write? Here, of course.<br /><br />I have so much inside that I want to get out. I internalize things. I always have. If I don't empty out the stuff in my head every once in a while it starts to fester, then I kind of lose it a little. <br /><br />Sometimes I lose it a lot. Thankfully this time only a little. <br /><br />I had a panic attack in the grocery store tonight. Well, to be honest, it started in Michael's but came to a head in the grocery store.<br /><br />I'm having a bad episode of polychondritis and the side of my head is so tender it hurts to turn it. It's a nagging pain that you don't think is that bad, until suddenly it is and you'll do anything to make it stop. I'm in that phase. The dear-lord-please-make-the-pain-stop phase. <br /><br />I'm in a lot of pain and I got off early and I made the mistake of thinking I could make a "quick stop" at Michael's before I went home. Poor error in judgement on my part. Seriously, who ever makes a "quick stop" at Michael's? <br /><br />That store confounds me. I mean, I love it there. I'm a crafty person and I like to make stuff. But when I get into that store it's like Narnia. I'm transported into another realm, in which there is just so much to see. So many things to make! I want to make all the things! Roughly half my time at Michael's is spent putting stuff into my basket, and then walking around the store and slowly putting everything back. I did manage to pick up the supplies to make a Christmas banner my sister wants, but everything else went back on the shelf.<br /><br />I only went there because they were having some daily Christmas deals that were 70% off. Who can resist 70% off? Apparently I can, because I put everything back and left with none of it. There went an hour of my time. An hour. Seriously it's like time slows down in there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />Who wanders around a store for an hour and leaves with only scrapbook paper? <br /><br />Me apparently. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, feeling shell shocked from the sensory overload that is Michael's, and still in pain I decided to go the grocery store. Even worse, a grocery store that I am not familiar with. <br style="font-size: 12px;" /><br />Furthermore, I had a lengthy list, and planned on buying for the week. Not just a quick run in for dinner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So let's recap: In a lot of pain, stressful day, feeling overwhelmed, and a grocery store where I don't know where anything is. Recipe for disaster.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was feeling very on edge when I started shopping and was forcing myself to breathe in and out very slowly. My anxiety was starting to ramp up when I realized my list was quite lengthy and I was going to have to go up and down every aisle because I didn't know where anything was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Things came to a head when I started looking for the Crystal Light. I went up and down the water aisle. Twice. No Crystal Light. Down the soda aisle. Still no Crystal Light. I asked an associate. Try aisle 2, they suggested. Aisle 2 was the water aisle. Yup, tried there. How about aisle 3, they asked. Nope, not there either I replied. Finally, after asking three times the associate said "If we have it, it will be on Aisle 2".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">IF you have it? IF? Of COURSE you have Crystal Light. EVERYBODY has Crystal Light. In fact, I am certain I have bought Crystal Light at this exact store before. All you have to do is figure out where it is and tell me so I can purchase some. Is that so hard?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I may have raised my voice a little bit. The associate may have looked at me like I was crazy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At that point I was becoming so upset I had to leave the store. That's right. I left the store. I abandoned my cart, exited the store and sat down on the sidewalk out front. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What did I do then? Well I called my husband of course. Because if there is one person on this earth who can calm me down when I am having an epic panic attack, it is him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I sat on the sidewalk, and talked to my husband, crying a little bit(actual tears...over Crystal Light. Really?!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The conversation went something like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Honey? What's the matter? Are you crying? What's happened? Have you been in an accident? No? You're where? Sitting on the sidewalk? How come? No, It's ok, it will be ok. Don't worry about the Crystal Light. I think we still have one pouch here..let me check...yes, we have one more pouch of Crystal Light, we don't need it, just finish your shopping and come home. No, you aren't crazy, don't cry. You're just stressed out. I love you, just come home everything will be alright". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And that is one of the reasons I love him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So he talked me off of the ledge and I felt ok enough to go back into the store and finish my shopping.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In case you were curious the Crystal Light was on aisle 6. The aisle with the crackers. Not the aisle with the water. Not with the juice. Not even with the Soda. The Crystal Light was on the aisle with the crackers. Who planned that out? Sometimes I think people who plan the layouts of grocery stores do it to mess with people. Mission accomplished.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At any rate, I found the Crystal Light, I finished my shopping, and I drove home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the way home I pondered the reason for the dramatics in the grocery store? I've been feeling very good lately and I was surprised about the panic attack. I was able to come up with a few reasons I have been feeling stressed this week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Money is tight. Especially tight, since my entire Christmas fund went to purchasing a new car window. A car window that I was responsible for breaking. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">People are crazy at work(patients). Seriously. I can't even get into the craziness. It's beyond draining. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christmas is coming. Soon. You wouldn't think that would stress someone like me out, someone who has been slowly buying gifts for months, and even ordered her Christmas cards in July(truly). But it is. Stressing me out. A Lot. I love Christmas. So much. I love it so much, however that I set such high expectations for it that I cannot possibly meet them. I need to have more lights, the perfect tree, send my cards out at the perfect time, purchase the perfect gifts, which are wrapped perfectly(I love giving gifts!) I spend so much time worrying about all of that that I don't stop to enjoy it, and the real meaning gets lost. I really need to learn to chill out about Christmas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So there you have it. Money, work, Christmas. Normal things that every person worries about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All of that, and then:</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">Paris. Bombings all over the world. Isis. Syrian refugees. Dead children. Onslaught of opposing Facebook posts regarding said Syrian refugees. </span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: helvetica;">And therein lies the heart of the anxiety. It isn't about work being stressful, or about money being tight, or about wanting Christmas to be perfect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's about so much scary stuff happening in the world and me not being able to do anything about it. I lie awake at night and cry for families who will face this holiday season without their loved ones. I cry about senseless violence and the hate that drives it. I want to help in some way, but feel paralyzed. I worry that something bad will happen to people I love and I won't be able to stop it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have so many feelings and thoughts but I don't know how to articulate them so I hold them all in until I explode.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: helvetica;">I really must work on this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: helvetica;">So I came home and I told Joe all of the terrifying, worrying, horrible thoughts that had been rolling around in my head over the last week and he helped me sort them out until I felt better. He didn't have all the answers, and he couldn't make any of it better for anyone, but it helped me to let it out in one huge long breath and regroup so that I didn't feel so overwhelmed by all of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Everyone should have a Joe in their life. :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Sometimes you don't even realize you've been holding your breath until you exhale. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><b>Every prayer and good thought I have goes out to anyone suffering in the world right now. I think about you. Even if I don't talk about it, you are still on my mind, and in my heart and prayers. Every day and every night. Until I can figure out something tangible I can do to help, you have my thoughts and prayers. I wish it were more than that.</b></span><br />
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<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-75467304719392163562015-07-22T04:30:00.000-07:002015-07-22T04:30:00.696-07:00Scarred<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKr7EZAj2nE/Va8m06C0yMI/AAAAAAAAK3g/2MOcTPhYDWE/s1600/broken-heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKr7EZAj2nE/Va8m06C0yMI/AAAAAAAAK3g/2MOcTPhYDWE/s320/broken-heart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
I think I'll make posting on this blog a quarterly event. That seems to be how it's working out anyway.<br />
<br />
My last post brought up a lot of memories for me, and not good ones.<br />
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That was such a long time ago, yet some days it feels like it occurred only last week.<br />
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I went through some very tough times between 2010-2012, and even before that, but those years in particular were horrific.<br />
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It got me thinking about how I got through it, and how it changed me.<br />
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Some of the hardest things in my life have left scars on me that can't ever be erased.<br />
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When we were trying to get pregnant(for 5 years. Five years we tried to get pregnant, then another 7 years after that with the adoption), I had several surgeries. Four to be exact. Even though they were considered "non invasive", for each surgery they had to cut four incisions in my lower abdomen.<br />
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Four surgeries X 4 incisions=16 scars.<br />
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My stomach is littered with small, round, pinkish-white scars. My insides are also cluttered with small metal clips that look like staples on an x-ray. Dozens of them. I counted 20 the last time I had an x-ray done.<br />
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Even though the scars on my stomach are ugly, I like them. They remind me of how much of a fighter I was when we were trying to get pregnant, and how I didn't give up, until our doctor said "No more". He didn't want to see me in so much pain anymore, and knew by that time that becoming pregnant wasn't going to happen. So I went ahead with a hysterectomy, even though I was so young(35), and even though it meant giving up on our chance to have a biological child.<br />
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The surgeries left scars.<br />
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Those scars are a physical reminder of how resilient I was. <br />
<br />
Am.<br />
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The scars that hurt the most though, are the ones you can't see. <br />
<br />
The heartbreak of not being able to have children left scars on my heart. It left a sadness inside of me that never seems to go away completely. Sometimes I think it's gone. It will go away for a long time and I think "Aha! I'm "over" that, I've made peace with it". <br />
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Then Mother's Day rolls around, or a friend or co-worker gets pregnant, or adopts yet another child, and BAM. There it is again. Sadness. Thankfully the sadness fades away again eventually, but there are still scars there that leave me occasionally feeling sad, nonetheless.<br />
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The anguish I felt around the time that I checked myself into the hospital for depression and suicidal thoughts left scars on my soul. Deep scars. Occasionally I allow myself to go back to that place and feel that darkness. Usually it ends with a panic attack and me having to take deep cleansing breaths to bring myself back to present. I try not to do that too often. But sometimes I allow those scars to come back to the surface, and they hurt. Even still.<br />
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You're probably wondering where I'm going with this.<br />
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This weekend I did something I have been thinking about doing for a very long time, but haven't had the courage to actually go through with.<br />
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This weekend I got a tattoo. My first(and likely only) tattoo.<br />
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You're probably wondering WHY? Why do something so permanent? <br />
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I guess I wanted a physical manifestation of the scars I feel on the inside to show on my outside.<br />
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Does that make any sense at all? I guess it doesn't really matter if it makes sense to you. It makes sense to me.<br />
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Ever since my last post I couldn't stop thinking about the semicolon. What it represents. It resonated so deeply with me. I knew that one day I would have a semicolon tattoo.<br />
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I didn't know it would be so soon, but sometimes life nudges you in a direction you aren't sure you're ready for, and you follow it.<br />
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So this weekend, with my sister and Joe in tow, I went to a tattoo parlor, and got this:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pJcK3vVteWk/Va8lOThaMmI/AAAAAAAAK3U/_1Iz2mm9QzU/s1600/IMG_4067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pJcK3vVteWk/Va8lOThaMmI/AAAAAAAAK3U/_1Iz2mm9QzU/s320/IMG_4067.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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It's still healing, so it's puffy and the lines aren't defined as much as they'll be when it is healed. <br />
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The meaning of the semicolon is in the previous post.<br />
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Sparrows represent loyalty and love(some species of sparrows mate for life). So the birds are for Joe and me, and the baby we will never have.<br />
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Birds can also represent freedom.<br />
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Freedom from the scars I have on the inside.<br />
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Maybe someone else with a semicolon tattoo, or who has been thinking about getting a semicolon tattoo will see mine and think "Hey, there's someone who's been in my shoes. There's someone who understands the pain I've felt".<br />
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I know that's how I will feel if/when I see someone with one. I'll feel like I'm not alone. <br />
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Like I am not the only one on this planet bearing scars, even though some days it felt like it.<br />
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I know not everyone will understand my decision to have a tattoo, or even like it, and that's o.k. To each his(or her) own.<br />
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It's my body. My journey. My story to tell.<br />
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Yes, it's in a very visible place, and yes, I know its *permanent*. Forever. I get that. I thought long and hard before I decided to get it. I didn't go into it lightly <br />
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I needed it to be where it is. I need to be able to see it. Every day.<br />
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I need to be reminded that even though I am scarred, inside and out, I am resilient. I made it. I survived a whole bunch of really bad shit and I'm still here to talk about it.<br />
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I am still standing.<br />
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As painful as they were to get, those scars made me who I am today.<br />
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My scars have made me more compassionate. To have more empathy. To be more open minded, and to judge others less.<br />
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We are all scarred on the inside, in one way or another. <br />
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I think it's the scars that make us beautiful. <br />
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<br />
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If you want to read a blog that protrays depression far more eloquently than I ever could, you should follow <a href="http://thebloggess.com/" target="_blank">The Bloggess</a>. She writes posts about mental illness that take my breath away, they are so honest, raw, and relatable (She uses a lot of profanity, so if that offends you, maybe don't check it out)Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-4077050523012433142015-04-17T06:00:00.000-07:002015-04-17T06:00:01.322-07:00;Let's see, where did we leave off?<br />
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Oh yeah, we survived the snow.<br />
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I turned 44(ugh).<br />
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Joe and I celebrated 22 years of marriage.<br />
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That's about it.<br />
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I often wonder what it is that keeps bringing me here to this blog, especially after being away for so long.<br />
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I can't say really. Only that every now and again I feel the urge to write, and this is the place I have been writing since 2005. 2005!<br />
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So here I am, with the urge to write.<br />
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Mother's Day is coming up again. I'm going to spare you the "Mother's Day is hard" whine. It's pretty old by now. For all of us.<br />
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Instead I'd like to share something I found on FB that was shared by a couple of friends, and then by me today.<br />
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It's called the <a href="http://www.thesemicolonproject.com/the-semicolon-project.html">semicolon project</a>.<br />
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What is it? <br />
<br />
<h2 class="wsite-content-title" style="text-align: center;">
the<br />semicolon project<span> </span></h2>
<h2 class="wsite-content-title" style="text-align: center;">
<span> </span></h2>
<h2 class="wsite-content-title" style="text-align: center;">
<span>"A Semicolon is used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence,
but chose not to. The Author is you and the sentence is your life".</span></h2>
<br /><span>On
April 16th, join The Semicolon Project and thousands of people in the
effort to raise public awareness against Depression, Anxiety, Self-harm
and Suicide.</span><br /><br /><span>By writing a semicolon on your wrist, you are making a promise to yourself that it is ok to reach out and seek for help.</span><br /><br /><span>Join
the fight and stand up for YOU or anyone you know who has depression,
anxiety, has self harmed or has contemplated suicide and help our peers,
our friends and our family know that we speak up for them and that we
stand up against Mental Health and the stigma that’s attached to it.</span><br /><br /><span>Together, we can save a life".</span> <img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11081005_10152929157619608_3355879389339013376_n.jpg?oh=da633ca2296443e1d2face430c51705b&oe=55E0EBCA&__gda__=1440819103_dd5c9046ae1142b9c511d68332df7efb" style="height: 562px; width: 481px;" /><br />
<br />
This speaks to me. A lot of people who know me, but not everyone who does, know that in 2010 I spent 8 days in the psychiatric ward at our local hospital due to severe, debilitating depression and suicidal tendencies.<br />
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8 days, two admissions, spread out over the course of several weeks, because the first admission "didn't take", as I like to put it.<br />
<br />
<br />
I probably just outed myself to many people who didn't know that, especially on FB. Some of them will probably be very judgy about it. That's ok. One of my very favorite sayings is "What other people think of me is none of my business".<br />
<br />
Oh and also, I don't give a rat's A** how you feel about it. It's my story to share. Or not to share. My life, my decision.<br />
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I won't go into detail about what the psych ward was like(if you sincerely want to know details feel free to e-mail me. It's not a secret. Just too private to go into here).<br />
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This I can say: <br />
Nurses in the psych ward are angels.<br />
Truly. <br />
Kind and compassionate, patient and understanding. I was lucky enough to have some wonderful nurses during my stay there, most of them male. <br />
<br />
One of the weekends I spent there was Mother's Day. The hardest day of the year for me back then, although Mother's Day was only a very small part of the reasons I ended up there. Again, too long to get into.<br />
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Why am I sharing this?<br />
<br />
Because I want other people who feel alone to know that they aren't. There are other people out there who have the same feelings. Married people. People with kids. People with jobs( I had two jobs during that time period). <br />
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People who look "normal" on the outside, but who still sometimes struggle greatly on the inside.<br />
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I look back on the person I was then and I don't even recognize her. I've come so far since then. But during those bleak days I didn't think I would make it through. Didn't think I *could* make it.<br />
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Do I worry that those dark thoughts might return some day? Yes and No. I'm afraid they could return, and I'll feel the anguish I felt back then again, but on the other hand I know I have better coping skills. A better support system too. If they were to come back I could deal with them. They wouldn't be so overwhelming. <br />
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I still have depression. Sometimes it's bad. Sometimes it's not. More not these days, which I am grateful for. Even so, I have learned not to take the good days for granted. I know that they are usually followed by some bad days, which is ok. It's the nature of the beast that is depression.<br />
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It's one of the reasons I love movements like The Semicolon Project. It brings awareness of mental illness, and seeks to destroy some of the stigma that goes along with it. <br />
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Today is my mom's birthday. I'm always surprised that it affects me emotionally, even after all this time. I think the combination of that and Mother's Day makes me feel a bit weepy this time of year.<br />
<br />
I cried like a baby after watching that FB video about the couple who hid the fact that they were having twins from everyone they knew and then surprised them when they came to visit them at the hospital.<br />
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Google it. It's great. <br />
<br />
Unless you are still suffering the grief from a lost adoption , or struggling because you want so badly to be a mother but it isn't happening(or didn't happen). <br />
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Then I don't recommend watching it, because it pretty much sucks. :)<br />
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Happy Birthday Mom. Even though we don't talk about you much anymore, you are still missed. Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717144251342625245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-65821227493823402792015-01-02T18:50:00.001-08:002015-01-02T20:19:41.527-08:00So Cal snowpocalypse<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wwAzD3ATSMU/VKdtmlAqXlI/AAAAAAAAKzQ/Vtu0iq9BPeE/s640/blogger-image-506301686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wwAzD3ATSMU/VKdtmlAqXlI/AAAAAAAAKzQ/Vtu0iq9BPeE/s640/blogger-image-506301686.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Ok, every person I know who does not live in CA and regularly gets heaps of snow every winter are going to laugh their asses off at this post and will probably stop reading after a few photos. <div><br></div><div>So this is for the rest of you. </div><div><br></div><div>After driving home late Monday night, I got up early on Tuesday and went into work. There was rain predicted for later in the evening. After work I was anxious to get home, as the road I drive on can be a pain in the rear in terms of traffic when it rains. </div><div><br></div><div>I stopped at the store to pick up a few things and then was on my way. </div><div><br></div><div>The temperatures were predicted to be cold enough that there could possibly be some snowfall between midnight and three a.m. I was quite excited about that, as I live in southern CA where it doesn't snow, and now I find myself living in a place where we could have some snow flurries now and again. </div><div><br></div><div>All day long at work I proclaimed how much I wished it would snow, even though it would only be a few snow flurries in the middle of the night. </div><div><br></div><div>That's what we were expecting: snow flurries. </div><div><br></div><div>I got on the road about 6:15, but instantly ran into trouble, due to a traffic accident. Sat parked on the highway for 30 minutes. Finally that accident cleared and there was a secondary accident, blocking the road completely(people are idiots). I sat parked for another hour before the road finally cleared enough for me to get home. It had just started raining when I pulled into my driveway, close to 8:00. </div><div><br></div><div>We had some pretty heavy rain for an hour. I was obsessively checking the outdoor thermometer to see if the temperature had dropped enough to see some snow flurries. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L95zmz0o5is/VKdY0DSeObI/AAAAAAAAKwg/B5Z0sWs-Mb4/s640/blogger-image-1112635949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L95zmz0o5is/VKdY0DSeObI/AAAAAAAAKwg/B5Z0sWs-Mb4/s640/blogger-image-1112635949.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Finally around 9:30, some light snow flurries started to fall. I was super excited. I took some pictures, an ooooo'd and ahhhhh'd, then around 10:00 went to bed, telling joe to wake me if there was a lot more snow, so I could take more pictures, as it was sure to be gone by morning. </div><div><br></div><div>Around 10:30 he comes in and tells me to come look, there had been quite a bit more snow. </div><div><br></div><div>Woo hoo! Look at all that snow! Exciting! Lol. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hb4Mr-VJaIo/VKdYq_5HY_I/AAAAAAAAKwQ/0ijTfs1hqQE/s640/blogger-image-1060016811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hb4Mr-VJaIo/VKdYq_5HY_I/AAAAAAAAKwQ/0ijTfs1hqQE/s640/blogger-image-1060016811.jpg"></a>, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">About fifteen minutes after taking this photo, our electricity went out. Bummer! It was a cold night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We piled a bunch of blankets on our bed and went to sleep, convinced the power would come back on during the night. </div><br></div><div>I set the alarm on my phone to be safe, and that's what woke me on Wednesday morning. Power was still out. House was very cold. Bummer. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Went to look out the window and the window was all frosty. How wintery! I thought. </div><div><br></div><div>I went out to the kitchen to look out the window and see how much snow had stuck, but there was a tree blocking the window. Uh oh. Went to look out the sliding glass door and saw this </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yA-8kRAWnhE/VKdYnjdl_6I/AAAAAAAAKwI/fDXiIoSQSmQ/s640/blogger-image--1014946589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yA-8kRAWnhE/VKdYnjdl_6I/AAAAAAAAKwI/fDXiIoSQSmQ/s640/blogger-image--1014946589.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Well that can't be good. I went and changed into my scrubs so I could go to work and called for joe to help clear the tree branch away from the door so I could leave. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Joe said "I don't think you are going to go to work today". I said of course I am! It's just a little snow. Help me clear the deck!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So we pull the tree branch off of the deck and this is what we see</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VIitMxpwl84/VKdYwGRU72I/AAAAAAAAKwY/gOfUYpFoqps/s640/blogger-image--2082803567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VIitMxpwl84/VKdYwGRU72I/AAAAAAAAKwY/gOfUYpFoqps/s640/blogger-image--2082803567.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What the what?! That's a heck of a lot more than a few snow flurries! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm still insistent that I'm going to be going to work. Joe tells me to grab my jacket(I'm in my scrubs), we are taking a walk. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was like "fine, but we have to hurry because I have to get to work!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ok, that's a lot of snow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GJTHoZ1aewE/VKdduXH8kZI/AAAAAAAAKxE/IWuGjB4VilA/s640/blogger-image--1646591449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GJTHoZ1aewE/VKdduXH8kZI/AAAAAAAAKxE/IWuGjB4VilA/s640/blogger-image--1646591449.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-znvxO8HlAsQ/VKdd-r3m4zI/AAAAAAAAKxs/HmDtbK0-MWY/s640/blogger-image-163809561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-znvxO8HlAsQ/VKdd-r3m4zI/AAAAAAAAKxs/HmDtbK0-MWY/s640/blogger-image-163809561.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ooooooo....so pretty!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GOs7H6V3QZ4/VKdd4aJy7kI/AAAAAAAAKxc/FLi4LrPfsb4/s640/blogger-image-275302773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GOs7H6V3QZ4/VKdd4aJy7kI/AAAAAAAAKxc/FLi4LrPfsb4/s640/blogger-image-275302773.jpg"></a></div>We start walking out towards the road, and see this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HI-H6MfgkRU/VKddxXQdh0I/AAAAAAAAKxM/zN-SYK-PYKQ/s640/blogger-image-1854827790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HI-H6MfgkRU/VKddxXQdh0I/AAAAAAAAKxM/zN-SYK-PYKQ/s640/blogger-image-1854827790.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NZpRRurT_zo/VKdglhEnkMI/AAAAAAAAKyo/mLpNAgE_xzY/s640/blogger-image-1636538135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NZpRRurT_zo/VKdglhEnkMI/AAAAAAAAKyo/mLpNAgE_xzY/s640/blogger-image-1636538135.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SV7wPdVwC1o/VKdtztvKN_I/AAAAAAAAKzw/fWNl136hl2o/s640/blogger-image-801313929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SV7wPdVwC1o/VKdtztvKN_I/AAAAAAAAKzw/fWNl136hl2o/s640/blogger-image-801313929.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fsllETr6_Po/VKdgdN21CUI/AAAAAAAAKyQ/LEkxp-U1AQQ/s640/blogger-image-234888127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fsllETr6_Po/VKdgdN21CUI/AAAAAAAAKyQ/LEkxp-U1AQQ/s640/blogger-image-234888127.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fMkysa4TV04/VKdgihYxyPI/AAAAAAAAKyg/dYFjDNYylaY/s640/blogger-image-1330963584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fMkysa4TV04/VKdgihYxyPI/AAAAAAAAKyg/dYFjDNYylaY/s640/blogger-image-1330963584.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e0GMWB7bmOM/VKdggHWPz6I/AAAAAAAAKyY/7B1MBX4tzk8/s640/blogger-image-985374580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e0GMWB7bmOM/VKdggHWPz6I/AAAAAAAAKyY/7B1MBX4tzk8/s640/blogger-image-985374580.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Dude. That's really a lot of snow. </div><div><br></div><div>Finally get to Ortega highway and see this:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0BO4t9dF-GQ/VKddoKzqXhI/AAAAAAAAKw0/x1jxGuU_XC8/s640/blogger-image-375430782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0BO4t9dF-GQ/VKddoKzqXhI/AAAAAAAAKw0/x1jxGuU_XC8/s640/blogger-image-375430782.jpg"></a></div>Yeah. Road is closed. I'm not going anywhere. And we had no cell service, so I couldn't even call in to let them know I wasn't able to come in. I just didn't show. I felt terrible. I've never done that before. But what was I gonna do? There weren't a whole lot of choices at that point. On top of the road being closed, there was a huge tree blocking the entrance to our complex. </div><div><br></div><div>It turns out that about three dozen people who were on the road only about an hour after I arrived home were stranded on the highway due to the snow and had to spend the night in their cars. So scary! I'm so grateful I made it home when I did. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7RJZMRSCCY8/VKdeBkjG42I/AAAAAAAAKx0/jBoh2zvbYDI/s640/blogger-image--1923175328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7RJZMRSCCY8/VKdeBkjG42I/AAAAAAAAKx0/jBoh2zvbYDI/s640/blogger-image--1923175328.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3Csnu5vZBDc/VKddrZ13kpI/AAAAAAAAKw8/6PysEqkxJoc/s640/blogger-image-2036565648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3Csnu5vZBDc/VKddrZ13kpI/AAAAAAAAKw8/6PysEqkxJoc/s640/blogger-image-2036565648.jpg"></a></div>We lost quite a few of our beloved oak tree branches. </div><div>No one was going in or out of there. Might as well settle in for a snow day. </div><div><br></div><div>Sounds fun right?</div><div><br></div><div>I agree. Except for one thing. We had no electricity. So no heat. And our water comes from a well with an electric pump, so no water either. And no cell service. Pretty much stranded. </div><div><br></div><div>As the day went in it got colder and colder. Finally by three O' clock it was very cold in the house and I just couldn't see spending our New Year's Eve freezing with no water, so we called our friends who lived up the hill and asked if we could stay the night with them. They agreed and we were happily on our way, with Leeloo in tow.</div><div><br></div><div>By that time they had cleared the roads. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> They were not open to anyone but residents, so we were able to make our way to their house on icy roads. I white knuckled it all the way there, our tiny car slipping and sliding on the icy spots. </span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y5ZU3Sli5Uo/VKddlEP7uTI/AAAAAAAAKws/Ycqml8mAabY/s640/blogger-image--1186299321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y5ZU3Sli5Uo/VKddlEP7uTI/AAAAAAAAKws/Ycqml8mAabY/s640/blogger-image--1186299321.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SaO_BAmjKlA/VKdd0rgmd3I/AAAAAAAAKxU/FPFvICPl56s/s640/blogger-image-962691521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SaO_BAmjKlA/VKdd0rgmd3I/AAAAAAAAKxU/FPFvICPl56s/s640/blogger-image-962691521.jpg"></a></div><br></div>But we made it. Whew!</div><div><br></div><div>Well, almost. We got right up to their driveway and got stuck in the snow. Oops. That's our friend graciously digging our car out so we could go home. Joe threw his back out and was unable to help. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YMTI3VH2Xgw/VKdtvpXXw0I/AAAAAAAAKzo/_dRZF4s_qwo/s640/blogger-image--1060525038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YMTI3VH2Xgw/VKdtvpXXw0I/AAAAAAAAKzo/_dRZF4s_qwo/s640/blogger-image--1060525038.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>They got quite a bit more than we did. It was so beautiful!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DH624bo_u0A/VKdgWCdXChI/AAAAAAAAKyA/k19W8szpL6A/s640/blogger-image-1166405611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DH624bo_u0A/VKdgWCdXChI/AAAAAAAAKyA/k19W8szpL6A/s640/blogger-image-1166405611.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7RLpgXo-D78/VKdgZn7irdI/AAAAAAAAKyI/ypnwG-ORcnM/s640/blogger-image-1979130128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7RLpgXo-D78/VKdgZn7irdI/AAAAAAAAKyI/ypnwG-ORcnM/s640/blogger-image-1979130128.jpg"></a></div><br></div>They had heat, and power and internet and they fed us delicious food. We are so lucky to have them as friends, and so close by! We spent the night, and then the next day sledding and playing in the snow. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4voP9EQaki0/VKdtjLspFpI/AAAAAAAAKzI/Ee5T0r2y_B4/s640/blogger-image--917181665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4voP9EQaki0/VKdtjLspFpI/AAAAAAAAKzI/Ee5T0r2y_B4/s640/blogger-image--917181665.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K7bRIiwms8o/VKdt2Q2iONI/AAAAAAAAKz4/CuXBvPTYw1U/s640/blogger-image-1435364278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K7bRIiwms8o/VKdt2Q2iONI/AAAAAAAAKz4/CuXBvPTYw1U/s640/blogger-image-1435364278.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P9N5bxd61IM/VKdts5zS9RI/AAAAAAAAKzg/5o3SEGq2WyI/s640/blogger-image--1979226572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P9N5bxd61IM/VKdts5zS9RI/AAAAAAAAKzg/5o3SEGq2WyI/s640/blogger-image--1979226572.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QcJPBlRkTks/VKdtpnMg-rI/AAAAAAAAKzY/t3dtmxQhtzc/s640/blogger-image--298898496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QcJPBlRkTks/VKdtpnMg-rI/AAAAAAAAKzY/t3dtmxQhtzc/s640/blogger-image--298898496.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We didn't want to overstay our welcome, and our electricity was supposed to be coming back on later that day, so we headed home. We got home and the power was not back. Still no heat. Or water. Or lights. The water or lights I can do without. We had candles. And bottled water. The heat was the killer. It was 36 degrees. Inside. 36 degrees. We were so cold. Very, very cold. Electric company was still promising electricity back on by ten, so we hunkered down with three layers of clothing and tried to make the best of it. But ugh! It was cold! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here we are bundled up on the couch, trying to make the best of it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CRUWms2Qing/VKdtfyF8DyI/AAAAAAAAKzA/tWXLKZ8IeeE/s640/blogger-image--764583350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CRUWms2Qing/VKdtfyF8DyI/AAAAAAAAKzA/tWXLKZ8IeeE/s640/blogger-image--764583350.jpg"></a></div><br></div>We finally made our way to the bedroom, with four blankets on the bed and our body heat and tried to tough it out. It was cold. The electricity never did come back on and it sucked. </div><div><br></div><div>Joe drove me to work just so he could sleep in our car since he has to work tonight and the car was ten times warmer than our house. I felt bad leaving Leeloo there but we left her tons of blankets to cuddle up in. </div><div><br></div><div>Finally when we got home at 5:00, the electricity had come back on. Hallelujah. </div><div>I feel like I didn't get to enjoy the snow at our house, due to the lack of power. It's almost melted now. </div><div><br></div><div>Many of my friends kept saying, it's beautiful! Enjoy it! And I agree. It was beautiful. But without electricity, or heat, and not even use of the toilet due to lack of water, it took most of the fun out of it.</div><div><br></div><div>Like I said before, I know this story about 8-12 inches of snow is hilarious to those of you who have ten feet of snow on a regular basis during the winter. </div><div><br></div><div>But you are equipped for that. This is southern CA. We are not equipped. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SbFv_jZtiBY/VKdtcQTmsGI/AAAAAAAAKy4/EGtVCAAYjeA/s640/blogger-image--923975877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SbFv_jZtiBY/VKdtcQTmsGI/AAAAAAAAKy4/EGtVCAAYjeA/s640/blogger-image--923975877.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>As far as anyone could tell, this area has never seen that much snow. </div><div><br></div><div>We had to have the marines bring in snow plows. Because we don't have any. They had to drop off search and rescue teams via helicopter because we couldn't clear the roads to get any in. </div><div><br></div><div>We don't have back up generators. If the electricity goes out, the water does too. The electric company did not know how to repair wires that were downed due to ice, and had to bring in repair people from other parts of the state to help. </div><div><br></div><div>It added quite a bit of time to the repair times. </div><div><br></div><div>We just aren't prepared for anything above a few snow flurries at the altitude we live. </div><div><br></div><div>I have learned quite a bit, and although this is unlikely to happen again, I'm putting together an emergency kit. Mostly just to help combat the cold temperatures should the power and water go out again. </div><div><br></div><div> Because what I've learned is that I'm pretty adaptable without amenities like lights and water, but I have a hard time adjusting to being truly cold. Both joe and I were miserable and unprepared the two nights it was 35 degrees inside. It was no fun.</div><div><br></div><div>But it is something we need to be prepared for living where we do now, and some good life lessons were learned. </div><div>Hindsight is 20/20. </div><div><br></div><div>It was a very exciting New Year and not one we will likely forget!</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-3091642322158562572015-01-02T18:17:00.001-08:002015-01-02T18:17:54.140-08:00SausalitoLet's see, where did I leave off?<div><br></div><div>Oh that's right, the last day of our vacation. We ventured into Sausalito, along with a thousand other people on Christmas break. </div><div><br></div><div>Sausalito is such a charming little town, right on the bay with a beautiful view of the city. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kVbW6l6xJ14/VKWf4rl583I/AAAAAAAAKvY/QjWhe-vS1Dw/s640/blogger-image--1155619544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kVbW6l6xJ14/VKWf4rl583I/AAAAAAAAKvY/QjWhe-vS1Dw/s640/blogger-image--1155619544.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iV90RO3FS80/VKdRQnFTPzI/AAAAAAAAKvw/Ww6rs8WprcA/s640/blogger-image--1529608679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iV90RO3FS80/VKdRQnFTPzI/AAAAAAAAKvw/Ww6rs8WprcA/s640/blogger-image--1529608679.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Took some touristy photos and did a little shopping. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VG73ff02LKc/VKWfz1wsqqI/AAAAAAAAKvI/NPrcWO4qgjU/s640/blogger-image-14544746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VG73ff02LKc/VKWfz1wsqqI/AAAAAAAAKvI/NPrcWO4qgjU/s640/blogger-image-14544746.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n68uIHFg-3Q/VKWfeDk2BGI/AAAAAAAAKuQ/t0-yHe0_Kmg/s640/blogger-image--293920754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n68uIHFg-3Q/VKWfeDk2BGI/AAAAAAAAKuQ/t0-yHe0_Kmg/s640/blogger-image--293920754.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cute name for a bike rental place</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cy7yWNwH-8w/VKWfg7MNjlI/AAAAAAAAKuY/hFknFfKWTkM/s640/blogger-image--2128040656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cy7yWNwH-8w/VKWfg7MNjlI/AAAAAAAAKuY/hFknFfKWTkM/s640/blogger-image--2128040656.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cool stairs leading right into the ocean. It was a little chilly for swimming. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GsouSMGpJac/VKWfr5KSJjI/AAAAAAAAKuw/w-36v4xe6ac/s640/blogger-image--927424251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GsouSMGpJac/VKWfr5KSJjI/AAAAAAAAKuw/w-36v4xe6ac/s640/blogger-image--927424251.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sees-sters</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7HYFU0dcK0w/VKWfkrsYiyI/AAAAAAAAKug/CTeK7cB3ZQ0/s640/blogger-image--894913088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7HYFU0dcK0w/VKWfkrsYiyI/AAAAAAAAKug/CTeK7cB3ZQ0/s640/blogger-image--894913088.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Elephant statue in the town square. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k3VTVsdiDos/VKWfw-WffAI/AAAAAAAAKvA/meKzYHZ4L0s/s640/blogger-image--52793870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k3VTVsdiDos/VKWfw-WffAI/AAAAAAAAKvA/meKzYHZ4L0s/s640/blogger-image--52793870.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cV3Wnrnh-Xw/VKWfuTQlFvI/AAAAAAAAKu4/FoB61AVvoHQ/s640/blogger-image--1603486248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cV3Wnrnh-Xw/VKWfuTQlFvI/AAAAAAAAKu4/FoB61AVvoHQ/s640/blogger-image--1603486248.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_5dN0dBXX9A/VKWf2ZXZ2-I/AAAAAAAAKvQ/b-Y4C2w_aZQ/s640/blogger-image-371256282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_5dN0dBXX9A/VKWf2ZXZ2-I/AAAAAAAAKvQ/b-Y4C2w_aZQ/s640/blogger-image-371256282.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And fountain</span></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gLMJhk0BOV4/VKWfo2FkJ3I/AAAAAAAAKuo/gmjPLKTPVCc/s640/blogger-image-1749167707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gLMJhk0BOV4/VKWfo2FkJ3I/AAAAAAAAKuo/gmjPLKTPVCc/s640/blogger-image-1749167707.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This guy was balancing rocks overlooking the bay. He was very good! I have no idea how he gets the rocks to stay like that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xq7tQvYpbVg/VKdRTSp4NKI/AAAAAAAAKv4/HAaNohFLEo8/s640/blogger-image--305728043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xq7tQvYpbVg/VKdRTSp4NKI/AAAAAAAAKv4/HAaNohFLEo8/s640/blogger-image--305728043.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KPHRkmvZuBo/VKdRN7WzjQI/AAAAAAAAKvo/0GeVGpGVsvY/s640/blogger-image-33116494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KPHRkmvZuBo/VKdRN7WzjQI/AAAAAAAAKvo/0GeVGpGVsvY/s640/blogger-image-33116494.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We headed home to make a yummy dinner and hang out by the fire, and get ready to pack it up to leave in the morning(sob!) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We got a very late start home, as I didn't want to leave. That put us home around almost ten o' clock Monday night. I went right to bed so I could be at work bright and early the next day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was ready to settle back into the daily grind, with a day off in a couple of days. Little did I know that the next day would begin an adventure we had never experienced before. </div><br></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-21715566580905066612014-12-28T17:13:00.001-08:002014-12-28T17:13:05.965-08:00Pacifica<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Yesterday we took the dogs down to a beach in Pacifica to watch the sun set. It was so beautiful. I took about a hundred pictures. I tried to narrow them down but I didn't really. Sorry. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_1Fx2PgLs88/VKCqSTetzJI/AAAAAAAAKsg/kgkW2BR3Er0/s640/blogger-image--159092611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_1Fx2PgLs88/VKCqSTetzJI/AAAAAAAAKsg/kgkW2BR3Er0/s640/blogger-image--159092611.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nkCyIMEP7Wg/VKCqQcT1MAI/AAAAAAAAKsY/rKsWhxDc2WE/s640/blogger-image-1687034890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nkCyIMEP7Wg/VKCqQcT1MAI/AAAAAAAAKsY/rKsWhxDc2WE/s640/blogger-image-1687034890.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kw3X-i3kx-E/VKCqdWeBZKI/AAAAAAAAKtQ/96yCS5wSP-Q/s640/blogger-image--705703013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kw3X-i3kx-E/VKCqdWeBZKI/AAAAAAAAKtQ/96yCS5wSP-Q/s640/blogger-image--705703013.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6cqNVtorJfQ/VKCqZuphqrI/AAAAAAAAKtA/N8_0GXp7H5E/s640/blogger-image-2063487539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6cqNVtorJfQ/VKCqZuphqrI/AAAAAAAAKtA/N8_0GXp7H5E/s640/blogger-image-2063487539.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nDlDv_-LuiI/VKCqg_Mf4mI/AAAAAAAAKtg/7g6gS4jGEr8/s640/blogger-image-732080478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nDlDv_-LuiI/VKCqg_Mf4mI/AAAAAAAAKtg/7g6gS4jGEr8/s640/blogger-image-732080478.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Lcs69552r_M/VKCqOeb8QYI/AAAAAAAAKsQ/mI96CFDA98s/s640/blogger-image-974380127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Lcs69552r_M/VKCqOeb8QYI/AAAAAAAAKsQ/mI96CFDA98s/s640/blogger-image-974380127.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TmYom4rtxuE/VKCqfBYYFuI/AAAAAAAAKtY/mlZPxu8fHOI/s640/blogger-image--1790883369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TmYom4rtxuE/VKCqfBYYFuI/AAAAAAAAKtY/mlZPxu8fHOI/s640/blogger-image--1790883369.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Xd_wUhRSLO8/VKCqUv75I5I/AAAAAAAAKso/xQB6hikPNco/s640/blogger-image-852061440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Xd_wUhRSLO8/VKCqUv75I5I/AAAAAAAAKso/xQB6hikPNco/s640/blogger-image-852061440.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TsPqkGzbHEc/VKCqivRvxXI/AAAAAAAAKto/eWE_9rm0AsI/s640/blogger-image-1823346667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TsPqkGzbHEc/VKCqivRvxXI/AAAAAAAAKto/eWE_9rm0AsI/s640/blogger-image-1823346667.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qhXNrIgaY2k/VKCqX6t7hLI/AAAAAAAAKs4/qT7E74KAaUk/s640/blogger-image-98794879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qhXNrIgaY2k/VKCqX6t7hLI/AAAAAAAAKs4/qT7E74KAaUk/s640/blogger-image-98794879.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TW51sdnO0W0/VKCqb21UT8I/AAAAAAAAKtI/hNhOygmFUQE/s640/blogger-image-1350143750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TW51sdnO0W0/VKCqb21UT8I/AAAAAAAAKtI/hNhOygmFUQE/s640/blogger-image-1350143750.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aSILAzKyypA/VKCqkY_8oTI/AAAAAAAAKtw/ZGvBUXnAgs0/s640/blogger-image--1833539524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aSILAzKyypA/VKCqkY_8oTI/AAAAAAAAKtw/ZGvBUXnAgs0/s640/blogger-image--1833539524.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><br></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U5tlTxkQEqg/VKCqWDpNLAI/AAAAAAAAKsw/Zl9zSpamzMM/s640/blogger-image-2032517670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U5tlTxkQEqg/VKCqWDpNLAI/AAAAAAAAKsw/Zl9zSpamzMM/s640/blogger-image-2032517670.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vkrjExb52Dw/VKCqnzr3x5I/AAAAAAAAKuA/4xfVR9TaNVc/s640/blogger-image--1538442345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vkrjExb52Dw/VKCqnzr3x5I/AAAAAAAAKuA/4xfVR9TaNVc/s640/blogger-image--1538442345.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bK-XJtu4FDM/VKCqmMA6T3I/AAAAAAAAKt4/ceYsjoY4cbg/s640/blogger-image--16415947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bK-XJtu4FDM/VKCqmMA6T3I/AAAAAAAAKt4/ceYsjoY4cbg/s640/blogger-image--16415947.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Great ending to a wonderful day. </div></div><br></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-22226795971233614972014-12-28T14:22:00.001-08:002014-12-28T14:31:38.593-08:00Christmas vacationHaving a blast in San Fran, as usual. Thought I would put a few pictures up because I know I'll forget later. <div>I was fortunate enough to get seven days off of work, and we headed up on the 23rd at four a.m.(yawn). </div><div><br></div><div>Hung around the house and somehow found ourselves out and about looking for some last minute gifts(not me, Lisa. I had been done for quite some time). </div><div><br></div><div>Obligatory tree photo</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QSGgbuI1a4E/VKCCBFKcijI/AAAAAAAAKqM/Mmoicj8fWak/s640/blogger-image-975543449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QSGgbuI1a4E/VKCCBFKcijI/AAAAAAAAKqM/Mmoicj8fWak/s640/blogger-image-975543449.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n-wPz0tKmyQ/VKCCimnD7RI/AAAAAAAAKrE/32U40PqS65A/s640/blogger-image--340025070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n-wPz0tKmyQ/VKCCimnD7RI/AAAAAAAAKrE/32U40PqS65A/s640/blogger-image--340025070.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bfFp3WNpc2c/VKCCV26koQI/AAAAAAAAKqc/7J4yMMtaT2s/s640/blogger-image--292750477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bfFp3WNpc2c/VKCCV26koQI/AAAAAAAAKqc/7J4yMMtaT2s/s640/blogger-image--292750477.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lisa got us all fancy matching slippers. They are sparkly! Lol. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ndkkl4R6vt8/VKCChHhCk_I/AAAAAAAAKq8/fruMXuo0KoA/s640/blogger-image--1013864101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ndkkl4R6vt8/VKCChHhCk_I/AAAAAAAAKq8/fruMXuo0KoA/s640/blogger-image--1013864101.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--u6js_QB7GQ/VKCB7vsfUKI/AAAAAAAAKqE/nz5OYT2b_nU/s640/blogger-image--1566148229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--u6js_QB7GQ/VKCB7vsfUKI/AAAAAAAAKqE/nz5OYT2b_nU/s640/blogger-image--1566148229.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Lisa got me some new paddock boots. One of my goals is to do a lot more riding. The car accident derailed that for far too long. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rzjBPDaZ1AQ/VKCCO2VpphI/AAAAAAAAKqU/vhVfbtHCqxc/s640/blogger-image--1848461215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rzjBPDaZ1AQ/VKCCO2VpphI/AAAAAAAAKqU/vhVfbtHCqxc/s640/blogger-image--1848461215.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Joe got me this awesome mug. He got me a few more elephant themed items. I love elephants!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7eW77kR8Tl0/VKCCb2RGSsI/AAAAAAAAKqk/kox2H13GlnI/s640/blogger-image-1562098856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7eW77kR8Tl0/VKCCb2RGSsI/AAAAAAAAKqk/kox2H13GlnI/s640/blogger-image-1562098856.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9rk_a0CC9aE/VKCCdznu3PI/AAAAAAAAKqs/h0LoFio7Gkk/s640/blogger-image--122987536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9rk_a0CC9aE/VKCCdznu3PI/AAAAAAAAKqs/h0LoFio7Gkk/s640/blogger-image--122987536.jpg"></a></div>Cute little owl tea infuser and kitchen timer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9ILpze7TElA/VKCCfYL8z6I/AAAAAAAAKq0/9WAX48wr1dE/s640/blogger-image-758435518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9ILpze7TElA/VKCCfYL8z6I/AAAAAAAAKq0/9WAX48wr1dE/s640/blogger-image-758435518.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I also got a printer that will print right from my iPad and phone, which I had been wanting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Grace got a trip to China over spring break and Taylor Swift tickets! An awesome Christmas for her for sure. Cameron got an Xbox 1. He aw also quite happy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Played a game of apples to apples on Christmas Day. Always a fun time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iWMGUOMZoTM/VKCEnxCfH5I/AAAAAAAAKrQ/iVjX6tu8byc/s640/blogger-image-1034378157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iWMGUOMZoTM/VKCEnxCfH5I/AAAAAAAAKrQ/iVjX6tu8byc/s640/blogger-image-1034378157.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dinner was delicious, as usual. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZiRnYpr5_r4/VKCEphJG6gI/AAAAAAAAKrY/vseup16orkk/s640/blogger-image--704870290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZiRnYpr5_r4/VKCEphJG6gI/AAAAAAAAKrY/vseup16orkk/s640/blogger-image--704870290.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the Christmas spirit</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gNotx5mvQEA/VKCEyCFL0aI/AAAAAAAAKsA/3iFzuZMoJY0/s640/blogger-image--1960795164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gNotx5mvQEA/VKCEyCFL0aI/AAAAAAAAKsA/3iFzuZMoJY0/s640/blogger-image--1960795164.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hZ02tK7MSrw/VKCErYAJLJI/AAAAAAAAKrg/7DhvMjHncEo/s640/blogger-image--1601036717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hZ02tK7MSrw/VKCErYAJLJI/AAAAAAAAKrg/7DhvMjHncEo/s640/blogger-image--1601036717.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The neighbors were certainly feeling it too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N6-4tr7FYLs/VKCEtOw-43I/AAAAAAAAKro/ukB5wctrO0Y/s640/blogger-image-515400000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N6-4tr7FYLs/VKCEtOw-43I/AAAAAAAAKro/ukB5wctrO0Y/s640/blogger-image-515400000.jpg"></a></div>That's a lotta lights</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-59BGC9A_MIE/VKCEu3-ImsI/AAAAAAAAKrw/MNEnoob-bXQ/s640/blogger-image-1766119690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-59BGC9A_MIE/VKCEu3-ImsI/AAAAAAAAKrw/MNEnoob-bXQ/s640/blogger-image-1766119690.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k3ySLiGk22w/VKCEwo2IkNI/AAAAAAAAKr4/maeG8ba-6S4/s640/blogger-image--1212242492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k3ySLiGk22w/VKCEwo2IkNI/AAAAAAAAKr4/maeG8ba-6S4/s640/blogger-image--1212242492.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Yesterday we went to a beach in Pacifica to watch the sunset(stunning), and today we drove into Sausolito and china town. Pictures to come. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tomorrow we head home. Boo. </div><br></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-87831259644276395282014-12-09T21:22:00.001-08:002014-12-09T21:25:39.536-08:00Christmas SpiritIt's no secret that I love Christmas. <div><br></div><div>I really do. I get that from my mom. My mom loved Christmas. She always made it so special for us, both as kids and adults, up to the age of 25 when I lost her. </div><div><br></div><div>This year I was especially excited about Christmas, because after two years I had my own place again, after feeling like I never would. </div><div><br></div><div>I started shopping in September. </div><div><br></div><div>I put my tree up before thanskgiving(gasp!). </div><div><br></div><div> We put a bazillion lights on our tiny house. </div><div><br></div><div>I hand made all of my Christmas cards this year. </div><div><br></div><div>Then it seems like I hit a wall. I had a fire lit under me to get everything done ahead of schedule, and this week the fire fizzled out. </div><div><br></div><div>Addressing cards is not my favorite part of sending Christmas cards, and I only got half of them done. </div><div><br></div><div>There is a half made wreath sitting on the floor near my tree that I just never found the energy to finish. </div><div><br></div><div>Suddenly I am realizing that I have a few more gifts to buy, with time(and pay checks) running out to buy them, especially because I need to buy online. </div><div><br></div><div>My job gets a little more stressful each day, as we get closer to the New Year and people want to come in before their deductibles re-set(not gonna happen). People take their frustrations out on me. </div><div><br></div><div>Watching the kid's Christmas shows(like I do every year) brings on a feeling of melancholy when I realize we will never get to watch them with our own children. I cried watching Charlie Brown Christmas. Linus' speech always gets me at the end. </div><div><br></div><div>Even the Christmas songs that I love(that we have playing at work full time now) are making me feel a little sad this week. It's only Tuesday!</div><div><br></div><div>I'm still not sleeping and am so tired. I have some kind of bacterial infection in my eyes and they are red and they hurt. I'm having to leave work early two days in a row to see two different doctors about it, using PTO that I've been saving for the week I'm taking off at Christmas. I never have been able to catch up from all of the PTO I used for the accident, then a couple of sick days after that. The eye drops that were prescribed to help cost $127 because our insurance started over and I have a deductible. I'm praying the eye doctor tomorrow has some samples I can use. Otherwise I'm not sure how I'm going to swing that. </div><div><br></div><div>I need some dental work done and it simply isn't in the budget right now. Like, not at all. I'm hoping I get some money back on my taxes this year. It's no fun having pain in your mouth when you eat. Why does dental work cost the price of a down payment on a car? It's ridiculous. I don't have dental insurance. I also don't have $2,000. It's insane. </div><div><br></div><div>My accident case is coming to the point that we are going to submit a demand package from the insurance company any day now. I'm nervous about that. I'm worried that they won't offer to pay us enough money to cover all of my expenses, plus enough to pay the lawyer and physical therapy bills and all of this will have been for nothing. I'm nervous we will have to go to trial(not likely, but I worry about it anyway). I'm a worrier. </div><div><br></div><div>I guess what I'm saying is that at this point in the holiday season I'm feeling a little down and stressed out. I think that's pretty normal. But it's still no fun to experience those feelings. </div><div><br></div><div>Maybe what I need is a hot bath and a glass of wine. Maybe I need to chill out and not be so hard on myself whenever I feel blue. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Hopefully I can get back into the Christmas spirit soon. </div><div><br></div><div>I have 16 days to get my mojo back. Only 13 days to get through until I'll have a whole week off. </div><div><br></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14175796.post-86389971691094993012014-12-05T20:57:00.001-08:002014-12-05T21:26:22.591-08:00Tis' The Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IOxr36gSa98/VIKMlNm8CpI/AAAAAAAAKpk/aWittkH0Ui4/s640/blogger-image-1705407673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br></a></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5ySdaOJZpgc/VIKMbpKUfWI/AAAAAAAAKpM/pe-ce_u4iBc/s640/blogger-image-1974370925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5ySdaOJZpgc/VIKMbpKUfWI/AAAAAAAAKpM/pe-ce_u4iBc/s640/blogger-image-1974370925.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Oh blog, how I have neglected you. I have the best intentions of writing every two weeks but it doesn't happen. The time will come when I roll up the carpet and retire the blog. It might be soon, I have a feeling. <div><br></div><div>But alas, not yet, because here I am. </div><div><br></div><div>Christmas is upon us. </div><div><br></div><div>Christmas, people! How the heck did that happen?</div><div><br></div><div>Halloween and thanksgiving gone, just like that. Poof. </div><div><br></div><div>That's how I've been feeling lately. Like I close my eyes and another month has gone by. Sometimes I feel like I'm sleeping my way through life. </div><div><br></div><div>Work and sleep. That's how it seems. Truly. </div><div><br></div><div>I've been exhausted. My thyroid has been low for months. I'm only just feeling the effects of the medication adjustment. Why is the thyroid so hard to regulate?</div><div><br></div><div>So yeah, cue me sleeping on my lunch break in my car every day, and barely managing to get out of bed on the weekends again. </div><div><br></div><div>That and I can't get used to sleeping alone with joe working the graveyard shift. All of my single friends tell me I'll get used to it(and even like it!), but so far that isn't the case. I still toss and turn on the nights I'm alone. Yawn. </div><div><br></div><div>Our kitty Leeloo is getting bigger and she's a crack up. She makes us laugh every day. I've never considered myself a cat person but I sure do love my Leeloo kitty. </div><div>At first she didn't look twice at the Christmas tree, but yesterday I caught her trying to untie the tree from the valance. I tied it up thinking for sure she was going to climb it. Thankfully she hasn't tried that yet. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rCLacUh-6wc/VIKMY3cVdZI/AAAAAAAAKpE/i3PG1D-8yTQ/s640/blogger-image-132989522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rCLacUh-6wc/VIKMY3cVdZI/AAAAAAAAKpE/i3PG1D-8yTQ/s640/blogger-image-132989522.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Knock on wood. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Isn't she sweet and innocent looking? Yeah right. She's destroying our house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-75IJRKBl5RQ/VIKMQKHUZzI/AAAAAAAAKos/C_woO-iOyUE/s640/blogger-image--2014765582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-75IJRKBl5RQ/VIKMQKHUZzI/AAAAAAAAKos/C_woO-iOyUE/s640/blogger-image--2014765582.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KkIYRnb6Xg8/VIKMTA8DPUI/AAAAAAAAKo0/C6q2zrOi0qE/s640/blogger-image-532353054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KkIYRnb6Xg8/VIKMTA8DPUI/AAAAAAAAKo0/C6q2zrOi0qE/s640/blogger-image-532353054.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hfuxSZf5dSI/VIKMh7ThAyI/AAAAAAAAKpc/f0v8rJ7GaRY/s640/blogger-image--1043892533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hfuxSZf5dSI/VIKMh7ThAyI/AAAAAAAAKpc/f0v8rJ7GaRY/s640/blogger-image--1043892533.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>For the first time in 15 years we stayed home for thanksgiving. Joe's job had already agreed to give him Christmas off, so we knew he would be working for thanksgiving, and that was ok. A week off at Christmas at a business that is open 24 hours a day is a gift. We are so grateful. </div><div><br></div><div>So we stayed home for thanksgiving. Joe was gone at night and slept most of the days, so it was a quiet thanksgiving, which was exactly what I needed. I cooked a lovely meal. Roasted chicken(I'm not really a turkey person), homemade mashed potatoes, Carmelized brussel sprouts with bacon and bleu cheese(to die for). Plus roasted sweet potatoes and rolls. So. Good. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tFnpUO1F8mc/VIKMNSx_CpI/AAAAAAAAKok/70NvBmctbLU/s640/blogger-image--1559734689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tFnpUO1F8mc/VIKMNSx_CpI/AAAAAAAAKok/70NvBmctbLU/s640/blogger-image--1559734689.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I can cook when I want to. It's not something I enjoy doing, but I am a pretty good cook if I put my mind to it. </div><div><br></div><div>I spent the next three days doing absolutely nothing, and it was heavenly. I cleaned. I slept. I read a whole book. I slept. I put up our Christmas lights. I slept. </div><div><br></div><div>Seeing any pattern there? So tired. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm nearing the end of my physical therapy treatment from the accident. While I feel 95% better, I do still occasionally have some neck pain. I am choosing to continue care once a week for the next three months(out of pocket), but according to the attorney they can only treat me a certain amount of time based on the amount of damage done to the car. I think it's ridiculous but it is what it is. </div><div><br></div><div>Next week we will meet with the attorney and come up with a monetary figure that we feel covers the expenses the accident caused, along with pain and suffering. If the insurance company doesn't counter with an amount we feel is fair, we will move forward with litigation. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm out thousands of dollars from this accident. Lost wages, multiple rental cars, the tow yard fee. Not to mention the emotional toll this has taken on me. I'm still very gun shy in the car as a driver and have even become a nervous passenger. It makes Joe nuts. Sometimes I just close my eyes so certain things won't freak me out. I obviously only do that when joe is driving. Most of the time. Lol. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I'm so ready for this to come to an end though. It has consumed almost five months of my life and I'm ready to be done with it. </div><div><br></div><div>Sometimes I will drive joe to and from work on the weekends when he works days so I can have the car. We always stop and admire the view on our way home. Lake Elsinore is very pretty at night. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LoE9yfcJjFg/VIKMe_yGTkI/AAAAAAAAKpU/5d8wwc3VgN4/s640/blogger-image-692479580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LoE9yfcJjFg/VIKMe_yGTkI/AAAAAAAAKpU/5d8wwc3VgN4/s640/blogger-image-692479580.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I'm excited to enjoy the rest of the holiday season. I'm actually very prepared this year. I'm almost done shopping. I'm going to wrap this weekend. The tree has been up since before thanksgiving(don't judge me!). The lights went up on the outside last weekend, with more going up this weekend. I've got a bit of a Christmas light obsession. This is only half of them. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rAfr99Flnxw/VIKMVyJ-DzI/AAAAAAAAKo8/ru5AwmyChkE/s640/blogger-image-2052139508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rAfr99Flnxw/VIKMVyJ-DzI/AAAAAAAAKo8/ru5AwmyChkE/s640/blogger-image-2052139508.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The halls are decked and I'm loving it. </div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ka1NXgkc_Do/VIKMnyHKXkI/AAAAAAAAKps/FAENwGMQTU4/s640/blogger-image-2034126182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ka1NXgkc_Do/VIKMnyHKXkI/AAAAAAAAKps/FAENwGMQTU4/s640/blogger-image-2034126182.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I handmade all of my Christmas cards this year and those will be going out next week. </div><div><br></div><div>I just love Christmas and having my own place again makes it a million times better. This is the happiest I have been in a very long time. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm very grateful. </div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310806020847827430noreply@blogger.com1