Lets start the wave

My most recent days, I wake up to this every morning.
the view, not so much the rainbow…though that’s there too, often enough


Though it might be hard to understand, having that view keeps me indoors more often than not. Its rare when I go outside and hangout at the beach or frankly get out of the apartment, for that matter. All I need to do is sit on the couch or on the lanai and stare at that view all day long to satisfy me.

I know, you think I’m crazy, right?

I did manage to get myself out because the waves here have been monstrous big. I was here last year at this time and they weren’t anywhere near this size. I walked myself down to the edge with my zoom lens (which I seriously almost chose not to bring) and took as many pictures as I could..all while getting sunburnt because I didn’t realize I’d be out there that long. – sorry, skin

There were so many surfers. The most I’d ever seen and I’m pretty sure every advanced surfer called in sick to their real jobs that day to catch these extremely dangerous waves.




To give you an idea of how high they were, I leave it to this guy, with his arm up, to show you.


And this guy who rode the top of another.


One wave after another kept coming in forming crowds along side me watching in awe. I even had a couple of guys stop and talk to me..but I’ll leave that for another post.









Now, I know these waves don’t compare to the North Shore surfing competition waves they have but they are big none the less. I’ve been delighting in watching them, not to mention watching all the spectators line up with their cameras eager to snap that perfect shot, oohing and awing as they do.

Its thrilling and humbling all at the same time watching these skilled surfers spend hours upon hours riding the waves, knowing even though I lack the skill to surf even a baby wave, I can watch as they do it with the upmost ease.

***update: turns out these are the biggest waves on this side of the island during this time of year, in years.

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Water on the rocks for me

I mentioned yesterday that G-man and I went on a little road trip over the weekend. What planned on just being a drive around the Marine base in Koneohe Bay ended up being a couple hours walk around the rocks on the ocean. It was secluded and peaceful and a wonderful hidden gem for us to explore.

What’s so nice about the military bases here, is they have beaches that no one else can get on. Imagine having a beautiful beach practically all to yourselves! Because of that, we enjoy driving all throughout the bases on the island and explore all they have to offer us.

After driving for awhile on base, we came across a beach and parked. With camera in hand, I followed G-man through trees and shrubs to emerge on the other side to see nothing but beautiful ocean and a view that left us standing still in awe of God’s beauty.

Exploring began as we stepped from one rock to the next listening and watching as the waves crashed onto the rocks.




Stopping often to see what’s around. Capturing a crab who was sunbathing…or so I thought.


Finding fish in the most oddest of places and reveling in their stare downs.


Stopping to soak our feet in the cool water…


..and enjoying the water rise with each wave that slammed against the rocks.

Once we decided to head home we made it just in time to see the final moments of the sunset spray a deep orange across the sky.


It was truly a wonderful day that I’m going to be sure to tuck away each and every memory formed from it. The excitement over fish and hermit crabs. The silliness of a hand puppet. The protection from the one I love. The tenderness in his voice when he spoke. And the laughs that were shared.

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I’m thankful for 28

Aloha everyone! I’ve been having a wonderfully relaxing time here in Hawaii this past weekend and I hope you guys had the same where you are. Not battered and bruised too much by all the crazy weather on the easy coast, I hope.

I can’t even tell you how much I’m loving being here. Well, I’ll give it a shot throughout the week. See if I can convey the awesomeness to you.

I’m thankful for:

- last minute help to make this trip happen. If it wasn’t for someone ‘working’ for me on Saturday, I never would have been able to make this trip.

- an awesome flight. I have to hand it to Delta this one time around. I was able to have the entire row to myself and took up all 3 seats the whole time. Oh, and they showed 2 great movies. One of the smoothest flights I’ve had.

- my love and the weekend spent with him. Going on a couple spur of the moment trips over the weekend is refreshing since, I’ll be honest, we aren’t the most ‘spur of the moment’ kind of people.
a taste from our first trip we did


- random and semi-inappropriate conversations with this girl and this girl that anyone can read but act like only us three are reading them. You girls are so much fun to talk to and make me crack up laughing.

- somehow managing to get G-man to forget to order UFC Saturday night, which so happened to be (apparently) one of the best UFC fight nights in a long time. (isn’t that how it always is??) and instead spending the time outside.

- somehow getting G-man to skip watching the Saints game Sunday afternoon, which, I’ll be honest, was shocking that he’d rather take a drive then sit and watch the game. The man likes his football and just about nothing gets in the way of his football.

I think I might currently have a bit of a spell on him…let’s see how long this lasts. ; )

Let me hear how your weekend went? What all did you end up doing?

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There’s no place like pseudo home

It was necessary. To say it was a matter of life or death isn’t too much of an exaggeration. Death was creeping slowly to my door. Would you believe it almost got me!?

Monday in all my whoa is me-ness, G-man says ‘why don’t you fly out tomorrow for a couple weeks?’ Tuesday became Thursday since I had a prior engagement Wednesday and the plan became official.

Hawaii. I am. IN!!
Hello, gorgeous beauty. How I have missed you.


But most of all, I’ve missed this man, the deep down dark, kind of missing.
seriously having to get creative here with “pictures” of him. *sigh*


My plans for this trip:
Refer to picture above.

He’ll be working his normal work schedule, so I’ll be around all day long, but we’ll get to be a ‘normal couple’ for a short while and that I’ll relish in. Oh how you normal couples have it so good.

I know some of you were pretty quick to guess my destination, yesterday. There’s no putting anything past you guys. ; ) I know it wasn’t that hard, where else would I get all super giddy and excited over??

I sure hope every single one of you have a wonderful weekend. I’m thinking I will…even if he already had plans to go to a football game with a buddy. It’s all good…because, I’ll be there after to hear how it went as he tells me..in person and not over the phone. *happy sigh*

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Knock Knock

Who’s there?

…..I said, WHO’S THEEERRRE??

*silence*
------------------------------------------

I’m not here. I went…somewhere. And as you read this, I’m actually on my way there. I can’t say where just yet, but the next time you hear from me, I’ll be there. {insert mysterious eyebrow raise}

To say it was a spur of the moment trip is an understatement. I had to rearrange numerous things on my schedule…yes, I actually had things on my schedule, and it kinda sucks that I had to move them..and/or not do them, since they were kinda important, but this was far more important, ya know what I mean?!

Any way with that, I’m jet setting to my destination.

Feel free to take a guess. The guessing game is always fun to play!

Do not be deceived by the flag…I’m staying in the good ol’ USofA

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Sink me, the lady’s a poet

There once was a mixer named, mine,
Who always wanted to shine.

It did its job every time I asked
and always rose to the task.

It followed me everywhere I’d go,
Even across the shore.

In Hawaii it sits untouched,
and I miss it oh so much.

I know, I can’t believe I wrote a poem at that caliber either. My talent is THAT good. It also took a good 30 minutes to create..I take my poem making very seriously.

It’s true however, my hand mixer is in Hawaii. When I was going back and forth and spending most of my days there last year, I took it with me to use. Well, it’s been months since I’ve been back and I’ve needed it many many times.

Insert my sweet neighbor.

Months ago, when I did laughter and lattes and made all that stuff, I needed a mixer, so I asked my neighbor if I could borrow hers. She happily gave it over and said she never uses it anymore so use it as much as I’d like.

Days later, I went to return it but she insisted I hold onto it since it would see more use from me, so I did. Fast forward 5 months when I get an email.

Its my neighbor asking if she could borrow the mixer (her mixer) to bake a cake. I email her back saying, Its YOUR mixer, of course you can have it back! And I apologize for keeping it for so long.

She quickly responds with, she just wanted to borrow it and promises to give it back to me as soon as she’s done.

Done…borrowing her mixer..that I’ve kept for 5 months.

Hilarious!

This was last Friday. Sunday rolls around and while in the middle of bible study, someone knocks on the door and who is it? My sweet neighbor with the mixer in one hand and this beautiful cake in the other. This cake….aaall for me!!
I was already diving into it so we could devour it and thought after to take a picture. I was one track minded!!


I am now back in possession of her mixer.

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The impact of sports

If I say, ‘young kids playing sports’ what would your response be?

All for it? Too cute? Start ‘em young!? or No way. Too boring. Why bother??

It seems like kids younger and younger are playing sports and some contact sports no less and I’ve been thinking a lot about it and not just lately. Naturally, I don’t have kids, so I can’t say when the time comes that I do, how my opinion will be then, but I don’t think it’ll be far off from what it is now.

I’m not for it. Kids as young as 5 are playing t-ball, football and soccer and I know it’s real cute seeing them out there in their uniforms but all I think about are the injuries.
via

Does that make me lame?

Do the parents honestly think about what kind of ailments their kids will have at their age? Playing sports, even tackle football at such a young age and considering what playing hard sports all year round for 12 years (not counting college) will do to their bodies?

I started running track at the age of 10, started playing club basketball at the age of 12 and played volleyball at the age of 13. I continued to play all 3 sports all 4 years of high school and played volleyball in college for a year then in a city league. Even though I started at an older age, I can attest to what all those years of sports has done to this 30 year old body.

I can only lift 5lbs with my right arm and it takes 10-15 minutes to warm up my shoulder, before I can throw a ball overhand. My knees are so shot from all the impact and injuries. After severely hyperextending my right knee in track (at 16), I can’t bend it fully, not to mention spraining my ankles so many times, cracking and bruising my tailbone from so many charges that its crooked and causes a lot of problems. And of course hitting my head, jamming fingers, breaking my foot and on and on and on.

I’m saying all this because if I knew that I would have what feels like an 80 year olds body as early as 23, I would never had played so many sports and only chosen 1 each year. (it would have been volleyball..in case anyone’s still with me)

G-man and I talk about this all the time. He agrees with me on limiting it to 1 and can rattle off his own list of problems that constant sports has done to his body. If you could see us getting off the couch..or even the ground (oi, the ground!) you’d find it comical with how slow we are.

I see these young kids and all I can think about is why are they playing? Is it for the parents? We’ve seen how many “passionate” parents get into down right fights over calls and disagreements with other parents’ since the kid did their kid ‘wrong’. Is it because the kid at age 5 said, ‘mom, dad…I’m still learning to tie my shoes, but I really want to play tackle football.’??

I get learning fundamentals and coordination and a skill. I get that! I just wonder if they get the aches, pains and future arthritis and surgeries they may need because of it.

I’m sure there are varying opinions on this topic and I would love to hear what they are. I do have other reasons to keep them from playing but my main reason is the impact it has on their bodies.

How much do you disagree (or agree) with me or think I’m off base?

If you have kids, do you have them play sports? And when did they start?
Do you plan on having your kids play sports and how young would you start them?
Did you play sports year round and do you have aches and pains as well?

I really want to know.

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I’m thankful for 27

Good day everyone! Can we all realize that August is fast coming to an end and I’m not sure that it didn’t just start?! Craziness. School is starting back up this week for some and all I hear is madness going on with everyone getting back to their normal scheduled. And by everyone, I mean those with kiddies and you teachers out there.

There’s absolutely zero madness going on around me. How about you? Is madness abounding??

So this week, I’m making up for my lack of thanks from last and found tons. Crazy when I actually focus on it throughout the week and make it a point to remember.

I’m thankful for

- calling the billing department for a doctor’s bill to inquire about 2 bills and having her, without even asking, take 20% off the largest bill. Apparently they do that, just cause and if you don’t call, you won’t get it. (note to self, always call before paying from here on out!)

- dear sweet Katie who told me through twitter that sometimes hospitals will write off your entire bill if you call and explain ‘your situation’ and sometimes they’ll do it without you even explaining! (note to self, always always call to ‘explain my situation’ to reduce ridiculous medical bills)

- driving safely to everywhere I needed to go, and the generosity of my friend letting me stay at her place for the night.

- getting a good report from the doc and his stopping me from working out (that I planned on doing this week). Instead he’s ordered me to physical therapy for 6 weeks and strict “only walking” exercise.

- being able to walk. I started today around the track..and I admit, I walked up the bleachers too. (can’t help it) but the Dr. wants me in high heels. Yep, you heard correctly! He wants me to wear heels again (crazy, I know…it’s been 10 years) so if you happen to be following me on pinterest, you’ll notice my ‘per doctors orders’ board. hehe

- my sweet friend that you’ve seen with the adorable pregnant belly, had her beautiful baby girl.

- you all for your sweet words last week. Thank you!

- impromptu wine with my neighbor on her balcony, this weekend. It was a great evening chatting and staring at the stars.

- having the energy to scrub down my entire apartment the day after my migraine. And I mean a thorough scrub down. It’s so nice being in a super clean home and I still have no idea where it came from.

- I told you I had a lot this week! I hope you all were able to find things to be thankful for too and had yourselves a great weekend. Oh and by the way, here’s my ‘new hair’ read: darker.

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It’s Friday, you’re welcome

Since I surprised you with it being Monday, I figured I’d announce it was Friday to make up for it.

Bad news. After driving 8 1/2 hours Wednesday and 3 hours yesterday coupled with sleeping on a deflating air mattress all night, not eating almost all day with hardly no water; not to mention having every hair follicle pulled, yanked, twisted and jerked for 3 hours straight, I got a really bad migraine last night.

The whole, make you want to throw up kind. (yeah, the awesome kind) so I wasn’t able to take a picture of my new hair. Which I admit, beyond the color being darker, it doesn’t look too much different. Just happier to have a lot of weight gone.

Promise I’ll take a picture over the weekend all done to show ‘the look’. Which by the way…I did not get bangs. Thank you for all of your votes! My stylist and I talked about it and though he always talks about giving me bangs, he said I ‘rock the no bang look’. – well ok, I’m sold.

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend.

Oh and I’ll leave you with some wisdom:

When you go to boil water on the stove and realize you have to throw up and do your business in the back, only to lay on the bedroom floor hoping the pain goes away for say, 20-30 minutes… it helps if you don’t leave the boiling water on the stove. It’ll completely boil away leaving you with a ‘cooking’ pot on a high heat burner, leaving your apt with ‘cooked pot’ smell.

Tuck that one away in your back pocket.
via sundayinbed

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I’d be happy to drive hours to see you

I went on a road trip. One of those whirlwind road trips.

I drove 3 1/2 hours for a 5 minute doctor’s visit only to then jump back in the car and drive 3 1/2 hours along the CA coast (which, I’ll never complain driving the coastline) to a friend’s house so that I can see my hair stylist in that area to get my hair finally cut and colored! I got to stay the night and jump back into my car to drive 2 1/2 hours home.

I’m exhausted.

Am I a weirdo that my closest hairstylist is 2 1/2 hours away? And that I’ll drive there just to get my haircut? It helps having friends there that let me stay the night to break it up, but I’ve done it all in one day before.

I’ve mentioned in the past that I’ve moved a lot. And everywhere I moved, I found a new stylist. Well, since I’ve lived here I haven’t bothered to look for one since..well for many reasons and still go to my guy 2 1/2 hours away or when I’m in HI, to my girl there, who (don’t tell my guy…) does a better job than him. ssssshh

Let me ask you a question. How do you find a new stylist? What’s your method to find one you’ll trust??

Whenever I move to a new area, I look at women in the malls or wherever I am and if I really like their cut or color I’ll go up and ask who does their hair. When I moved to San Luis Obispo years ago, I did just that. Her hair was so cute, so I went to the guy. My first guy cutting my hair. To say I was nervous was an understatement.

Let me give everyone a lesson when going to a new stylist for the 1st time. Never ever ever change the style of your hair. Only get a trim so if they do horrible, it shouldn’t make a big difference.

Clue #1 that it was going to be bad cut: I said I wanted a change and everything was coming out uneven and chunky.
Clue #2 that it was going to be a bad cut: He begins to cut me bangs (because I wanted that “change”) while I’m facing the mirror and he’s sitting next to me on the side.

Are you picturing that? He’s sitting sideways next to me cutting my bangs while I face away from him.

I was screaming inside. Needless to say, it was the worst haircut I’ve ever had in my life. I even documented it, as I do with every new cut. I go home and take a picture (but I can’t find it anywhere!) So after being forced to walk around for a week with the haircut I found a great one who fixed it as best as she could. That I have a picture of!


But unfortunately, this girl turned sour after a year, butchered my hair and I had to find another. Ever encounter that? Best stylist ever, recommended several friends to her, but out of the blue, turns horrible and gives us the worst haircuts!!

I found another, but something happened and ended up w/my current guy. Boy was I nervous going to another guy, especially when I found out he was the boyfriend of the 3rd stylist!! I felt like I betrayed her, but he did such a better job.

Any way that brings me to now, fresh cut and color! I can’t wait to show it to you all. I can’t tell you how long I’ve been wanting to color my hair. Its been 1 1/2 years since I’ve colored it. – guess I just told you.

But I’ve been wondering if I want bangs again. My stylist wants to cut them really bad, but I’m just not sold on having to deal with them again, especially since I can’t run in 2 weeks later for a bang trim since I’m not close. So, I need your opinion. Which do you prefer??
Bangs??


Or, no bangs??

aaaand, go!

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foto foto, take a peek-cha

Anyone other than my love and I might not find the title very funny but it will forever be hilarious to me…and well, him. The “Roman Guards” at the Coliseum would say that to us every time we walked by. Those little scammers, they were!


Moving on from them, I did what I’m coming to enjoy most, and that’s drive out to the orchards and take “peek-chas.” It’s seriously something I’m loving. And something you may be getting sick of seeing…gosh I hope not, though!

I went back to my favorite vineyard since the grapes are turning purple, but I finally hit some other fruits. YAY!
A peach orchard




I like how the focus is on the leaves in front leaving the peaches the blurry background




Afterward, I went to visit…the pluot orchard. Did you see my big reveal yesterday?!?! I was so excited, I posted twice in 1 day, I know! I documented the entire discovery of the fruit. It was epic to say the least…and also criminal..sorta.




And finally the vineyard. I love how those 2 grapes in the middle are glowing where no others are.

Do you have a favorite among these?

Did you think 1 person could take so many pictures of fruit? I better warn you, I’m waiting for the pomegranate trees to ripen more before I go back out. hehe

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Wednesday!

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All in the name of research!

I had to do it. I just had to! There was no other way of knowing for sure what it really was. And did I mention I was peer pressured into doing it?

My friend who’s a farmer’s daughter said it was ok…

and then said, she called the cops on me.
and to listen for the sirens…

But she said she was always taught, if you only take what you're going to eat RIGHT now, you're all good.

Then she mentioned how in Bible times they left the outer parts of the fields for the gleaners

then she quoted Starsky and Hutch and said, ‘DO IT! DO IT…DO IT!!!

And so I did.

I nervously picked a piece of fruit off a tree in an orchard to figure out what it really was. All in the name of research, my friends! …yes that can also be called stealing…tomato tomah-to

After cleaning it up, taking it outside and letting it model for me, my friend and I put our cell phone heads together and figured out what it was!

Journey with me.
This skin’s all worn and rough from the wind…


It’s all bumpy. Not smooth at all… the anticipation is killing me!


Ta-da!! It’s yellow inside! Say wha????


I find it ironic I chose my yellow knife for this…me thinks I was onto something.
Me also thinks it was because I didn’t want my blue one to clash w/the pretty outside.


And the verdict is………..

the Flavorich Pluot!

This website proves it. for the record, a friend of mine told me days ago it was a pluot but we wanted to be 100% sure. (thanks friend. I’ll listen to you from now on and not the one that doubted you and told me to steal…)

So there you have it, folks! Not a blueberry, grape, blue ball or persimmon, but none other than a PLUOT! A very tasty pluot, I might add.

Oh yeah, it was delicious!

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Weight for me

I have to be honest, I’m frustrated beyond belief and can’t do anything about it.

I had a goal and that goal was actually coming to fruition prior to my surgery. Since then, obviously I haven’t been able to workout at all and I’ve been feeling the effects. And hating it!

In every way I know I’m thin. So understand that my frustrations might seem dumb to some but I can tell when I gain weight. It all likes to take residence in my hips and thighs and I just want to cry seeing all the hard work get lost as I sit on my butt day in and day out with my feet up.

I’ve started to do upper body again. Push ups, dips and ab ripper X, but its obviously doing little to the lower body which is where the weight has gone. Or doing anything for that matter anywhere since I’m not doing any cardio to contribute to the small workouts to make a difference.

So, I’m feeling gross. Like, extremely gross.

And please understand, I’m not doing the whole girl thing where I say, ‘I’m so fat’ just to get people to tell me I’m not fat. That’s the last thing I’m doing. Just needing to vent that I’m dying to get out and run the bleachers again. To workout and be toned like I was working so hard to be before.
via

I never thought I’d be the type dying to workout but I’m just itching to go out there any way even though I’m not ready.

Do you guys ever run across this with yourselves? Where you can’t workout for a few weeks or months and just feel horrible?

How long can you go without working out before you can tell your body’s ‘softening’? What do you do to help the spirits?? ….besides eating cookies and chocolate, cause seriously, I’m already doing that.

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I’m thankful for 26

Who wants to know a secret? ..It’s Monday. Surprise!!!

I know you were clueless to what day it actually was, right!? Leave it to me to break it to you gently. You really can always count on me for that, so you know.

This past week, I’ve been thankful for:

…alright, confession. I know I have so many things to be thankful for but there are days where I have to look really really hard to find what they are. Am I alone in this??

- going 2 days without my laptop. Not being glued to it and taking a virtual break was incredibly great. So great, I’m going to do it again this week.

- hanging out with 3 old women who filled me up with life and marriage wisdom and also giving me a clearer perspective on things.

- friends who lend an ear. I think it’s important to have at least that one friend you can call and be able to count on.

- all of you. I can’t believe I have 51 followers. It’s so neat you care. I’ve really enjoyed writing so much and you guys are just awesome. So, thank you!

- God’s words, timing and care. Always the best at always the right time.

By the way, I went out to a couple orchards last week and though I might not be ready and creative enough to “capture” people, I think me and fruit are doing fantastically.

Anyone wanna guess what kind of fruit this is??

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My living water

A few verses to cling to.



Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’

2 Corinthians 10:5 …and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ

Philippians 4:6-9 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Psalm 39:7  "And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.

Psalm 25:17-18 The troubles of my heart are enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses.
Look upon my affliction and my trouble, And forgive all my sins.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

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It’s a camera and it just flashed

There’s one slight thing that I didn’t mention from the trip to San Francisco with G-man over the weekend.

Thankfully the moment we got to the car, he immediately took the keys and offered to drive. I’m not one to object, especially since he’s been living in Hawaii, his driving has slowed way down. The speed limit there is 55 mph so whenever he comes to the mainland he barely goes 65 and feels like he’s speeding while everyone’s flying by him. It’s actually quite hilarious when I have to remind him he needs to go faster.

As we’re driving through the city after breakfast, he goes his meager speed when we come up on a left turn light that’s green. He and the car next to us speed up to catch it and the closer we get; it turns yellow. As G-man begins to accelerate the car next to us brakes suddenly and stops as we barrel through.

At that moment, the light turns red. I scan all around on the chance a cop may be sitting at the intersection simultaneously looking for one of those traffic cameras. We’re clear!!

Then, flash.

Sitting tall on the corner where we’re turning into, is the camera. I’m pretty sure it caught me pointing at it when it took the picture saying, ‘there it is!!’
via

So now I wait. Wait to see if I get something in the mail with the pretty picture of us in the car. Wait to see if there’s a way to get out of the ticket since I wasn’t the one driving after all. Wait to see if I’m going to rat out G-man as the driver….ooooh, I can’t wait to see what happens! muahahaha – evil laugh there…

We can’t figure out what got into him at that moment and both agreed we noticed the car braking and wondered why he stopped so abruptly. Clearly he knew what we didn’t and I can only imagine him laughing at us as he saw the flash, himself.

Oh silly traffic cameras, why do you mess with us, so!?

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A trip and a birthday celebration

Would you believe I have no pictures from my 30th birthday? It’s true. The day didn’t turn out as we all had hoped, but we did our best to make up for it the day after by meeting at my sister’s house to celebrate.

Wait, I take that back. I do have 1 picture. My mom, the awesome mom that she is, made me a world class birthday breakfast.


She really is the best! So any way, they planned out a Hawaiian themed party for me and I thought that was the cutest idea. The kids went around wearing lei’s and my sister ordered Hawaiian BBQ. The 2 things I took pictures of the day after, were of my niece and the dragonfly. I know, very random!

I did have a great time with my family and am thankful I could spend the weekend with them.

G-man and I got to celebrate it a week later when we agreed to meet in San Francisco. He was able to get a layover for an entire day before his flight continued to the South for work. We had plans to do anything and everything we could before our dinner reservations to Ruth’s Chris that night.

What did we do? Practically nothing. I was given so many good suggestions too. His flight was delayed twice and was so beat getting in, we went to get breakfast and took our time getting ready to go out.

All we had time to do was see Lombard St. Surprisingly for all the times I’d been there, I’d never seen it. So we set out and were able to go down the street, which was pretty fun winding down the road.




Once we rushed back, changed and made it to the restaurant, I had to use the restroom before we were seated and by the time I got back they were ready to seat us. As I’m following the girl, she turns and says, ‘So I hear we’re celebrating a birthday?’

I’m staring at her open mouthed thinking, surely G-man didn’t say anything while I was gone?! (that’s just not his thing) So I said, ‘um, sort of. Mine was a week ago.’ She looks at me funny and shows me the table. The table that has happy birthday confetti ALL OVER IT!!!

I scooped them up into a pile, to minimize the ‘show’


I was so embarrassed. I’m staring at G-man, he’s staring at me and we both have this look of “did YOU do this!?” on our faces.

It was unknowingly me that did it.

Note to self: When making reservations online and it asks if you’re celebrating anything, don’t put birthday!! It never occurred to me they would actually do anything. Every person that came to our table wished me a happy birthday and by the time the waiter showed up and said it, I stressed that it was a week ago and under no circumstance did I want singing, dancing or whatever it was they did.

Yes, I really said all that. Where did I think I was, TGIFridays?!

The great waiter that he was said all they did was put a candle in the dessert but he would refrain doing it, for my sake. However, it didn’t stop him from calling me the birthday girl the. entire. time.

The dessert came…can you guess how it came? With a candle lit. I told him his tip was gone and we all burst out laughing.


It was such a great dinner and a great way to end the night and my birthday week. I couldn’t ask for any other way to start my 30’s.

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