Where in the World is Me?

Ok, I'm sorry, I've been lax in posting and that is soooo unlike me especially when I totally said "oh, don't I live the life of Riley, not having to work in the summer, blah blah blah" Well, I haven't actually been working but the parent trap is in town. I came back off vacation last Tuesday at 2am , got to sleep around 4am, back up at 8am to head into work for a few hours then had to leave early to prepare for their imminent arrival because the house was a mess, I had groceries to buy, laundry to do, and my grass needed mowing.

So they are here and for the past week we have been doing yard work, working on the floor in the coat closet that was messed up due to a leak back before I bought my house and we went to the ATL for a wedding Fri-Sun. Pics of the momentous occasion will be posted soon. AND tomorrow I get a new roof. So I've been just slightly busy lately. The parents are leaving Thursday and then I'll be back on a regular blogging schedule ;-)

But in the meantime, for your viewing pleasure, the 2nd bathroom is finally done! and here's the final pics...

Arg

I should be home..but noooooo
Delta has other plans for me as I wait on the runway at 1am
There was an emergency landing of another flight and because they aren't staffed this late we wait patiently to be rescued.
Hoping the parking shuttle guy is still on duty or i'll be walkin home

Sent via tilt technology

Bloody Mary Afternoon

Vacation is over...boo hiss.
But first 7 hours on a plane...saving grace..1st class...cocktails...and a much more attractive seatmate
Back into the fray tomorrow as well as the arrival of the parent trap.

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stupid fog!

Another foggy day in Capo town (stupid coastal eddy) plus it's the weekend so the beaches are crowded and it's been a bit colder than usual :(

We decided to brave the heated saltwater pool at the YMCA since the kids wanted to do the whole diving board thing.

this is my favorite one. Brodie doing the "superman" dive

I think I may have found a kindred spirit in Colleen's daughter, Rachael, not only does she like the theatre but she's a big fan of Flight of the Conchords and Frank Sinatra! at 13!!!

Rachey and me..contemplating life and the pool

it's a Passion Flower! (thanks Kathleen!)

Passion Flower, whose genus name is passiflora, is a naturally grown medicinal herb, approved by the German Commission E in the treatment of insomnia and nervousness. It is also used as a sedative in nervous disorders (including gastrointestinal complaints of nervous origin), difficulties in sleeping, and anxiety or restlessness. Passion Flower reduces spasms and depresses the central nervous system.

Passion flower is also known as maypop. It is a woody vine with flowers which reminded early pilgrims of the passion or suffering of Christ. The plant produces small berry-like fruit called granadilla or water lemon. The aerial parts of the plant are gathered during fruiting season and then dried for future processing.

Legend has it that in 1620 a Jesuit Priest came across the plant we now know as passion flower. Enthralled with its beauty, that night he had a vision likening its floral parts to the elements of the Crucifixion or Passion of Christ. The five petals and five sepals became the ten apostles (omitting Peter and Judas). The three pistils became the nails of the cross; the purple corona (or filaments) was the crown of thorns, and the stemmed ovary was the Lord's goblet.

Wine...Women...and Song

WINE (and Sue's most excellent of sauces)

WOMEN

and SONG

nuf said

Welcome to the Capo!

Dang Nabbit, it's overcast today! Usually the sun burns off the fog by noon but not today. I guess that's ok considering we all got a bit too much sun yesterday and it wouldn't be prudent to add to our misery ;-) Today's game plan. Culture.

We headed to San Juan Capistrano to the famous Mission San Juan Capistrano. Famous, because every year on March 19, a plethora of swallows fly to the mission to build their nests and spend the summer on the mission grounds. This mission is one of my most favorite places to visit because the flowers are the amazing. Every time I go, there's a different bunch of flowers blooming. Couple that with my love of taking a good snapshot and I'm in heaven. You can't take a bad picture of a flower! Here are some snaps from today.

Oh and look at this flower. anyone have any idea what type it is? How cool.

We also had a bit of tragedy as well on our visit because I knocked my leg into a pew in the little chapel and got a lovely 2 inch gash in my leg. I'm sure its a sign, heathen that I am, taking pictures in a house of God ;-)

Today was also a major milestone in Rachael's life. She had her first In and Out burger! Now for those of you that have never experienced one of these gastronomical sensations, they are awesome and addictive. They have a very limited menu if you just walk up to the window and aren't in the know (hamburger, cheeseburger, double double (2 patties, 2 slices of cheese)) Then there's the secret menu for aficionados.

Think we've embarrassed Rachey enough for one day?

Beach Blanket Bingo

After a nice long morning walk to get the blood flowing, we packed up the car and headed off to North Beach.

Then nicely burnt to a crisp, we ditched the kids and went out for an "adult" evening at the Wind & Sea. They apparently are known for their mai tai's so of course we had to indulge!

Sue and Colleen are the macaroni to my cheese (yes, we rented Juno, LOVE that movie and all its quirky phrases)

California Adventure!

Hurrah! Colleen and Rachael are here. Vacation has officially started! Today we went to Disney's California Adventure. Couldn't get into Disneyland because they blacked out my Silver pass for the summer but that's OK since I've never really spent time at Cali Adventure.
(left to right: me, Sue, Miranda, Rachael and Colleen)

There's a new ride that just opened, Toy Story Midway Mania. It's basically a 3D shooting game and you shoot at various targets for points. Love,Love LOVE, games with points involved because I'm super competitive and yes, I did kick a little dart shootin, balloon poppin, ring toss arse! (hard to see the pic I know but it's 123,600 baybee! yeehaw! Thank goodness I have friends who love me even though I have this one minor flaw)

Miranda and Rachey on the ride

Next it was on to California Screamin, a roller coaster that I've been avoiding for a couple of years because although I love speed, loop de loops, sudden turns etc. I HATE sudden drops. The girls assured me that this coaster was not as bad as it looked.

Here I am BEFORE, Very unhappy....with my stomach flip flopping, heart pumping, feeling cold and clammy and anxiety ridden

DURING (everyone is smiling but me, in full terror mode)

and AFTER with a queasy fake smile on my face, happy that I made it through alive but making the vow of "NEVER AGAIN!

Lunch time!..and this park has a Boudin Sourdough Bakery place (just like San Fran) Yum. Clam Chowder in a bread bowl!

Various moments of fun montage

and our last ride of the day. Grizzly River Rapids. One of those rides where you get in a circular raft and it's supposed to be like whitewater rafting.

BEFORE: all dry, good hair, happy and smiling

AFTER: all wet, bad hair, all happy and smiling

and a little picture I like to call

"Sponge Sue Wet Pants"