All-Star Sunday 2010

What an afternoon! Exciting! Exhausting!! Experience!!!

Our Brother and Sister in Law came down from Santa Barbara after inviting us to join them at the "All Star Sunday" at Angel's Stadium.

"Jerry & Jill"


Not too crowded; BUT - because I've done pretty much nothing for the last two weeks; 3 hours of stairs, ramps, and sun pretty much did me in. I will probably be recouping for the next 24-48 hours; but so well worth the afternoon.

"Melanie & Jim"



We watched the last 4 innings of the "All Star Futures" game and then hung out and watched about the first 3 innings off the "All Star Legends & Celebrity" game (when leaving in the 3rd; AL was leading 5-1).

It was so great to see Tim Salmon again. One of my fave Angels (he has the BEST smile)! Finley was there, as well.

"All Star Futures" USA beat World 9-1








Setting up the field for the "All Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game"













One of several parking lot All Star Events






Several of the MLB Mascots






Guy Fieri (Chef) & Mario Lopez



Andy Richter (Conan O'Brien sidekick)



Mike Piazza - not a fan



Quinton Aaron from "The Blind Side"

6'8"- 400 lbs holy moly!



MC Hammer "Hammer Time"







Bo Jackson "Bo Knows"



James Denton of "Desperate Housewives"


Tim "Timmy" Salmon - Love him!!!



Me & Jilly enjoying the shade after all the sunshine

Bugs! Beatles! and The Rolling Stones!

Where does the title fit into all of this?

Well yesterday my girlfriend, Celeste joined Jim and I in a long overdue Geocaching trip. We headed to Huntington Beach and located several in Central Park.

One had lots of bugs - BEATLES to be exact - and the Rolling Stones song "You Can't Always Get What You Want" was one of the Cache Title we set out for.

With GPS "in hand"; we set out to find six (6).

Originally we set out to find 10, but by the Sixth Cache we were spent.

It was a super fun day in the sun. And if I was a 9 yr old boy, I might have been more appreciative of all the buggies. Ha!

Our next Cache can't be soon enough.

Cashing In!!! Geocaching, that is...

This is Caching of another kind... Geocaching.

And today was my first (of hopefully many more) Geocaching experiences. What fun! I had never heard of this before - have you? Apparently it's been around for years. Who knew? I didn't until now.

It's a great way to get outdoors, move around and hopefully find treasure.

This morning we were up bright and early. Jim had learned of several "caches" in our immediate area. Even along a walk we have often taken our girls.


Preparing for our Geocaching experience.


Jim setting the GPS for our first (of three) stops.


My view as we walked :u )



One of the paths (service road) taken down to the park.


We didn't have any luck locating the first two Cache's (Ho Hum); but we were successful with our third. I jumped about 3 feet (or so my hubby says). He said he wished he had the video on me versus me having the camera on him. Ha!

Sorry - but I think most would jump after seeing this.

And the irony; this Geocache is called "Don't Jump my Claim"

The log was hidden inside the spider's butt (lol!).

We had so much fun we decided for a 4th Geocache we had heard about from a "passer by" during our morning outing. So we opted to share our fun with family before our lunch plans. And had we not invited them, I wonder if we would have found it.

It took what seemed like forever. But fortunately all you need is a GPS, a pregnant cousin with excellent direction skills and a 2yr old. :u )

They said to avoid the cactus (thank goodness)!
Really? You think so?!

And there it was; hidden extremely well under a

trap door. "Sco0by's Tomb".

Gabriella looking on after scoring a fun little

"blue moon" key chain.

Okay - she was pretty tired by now; but she really did

have a smile on her face.

Thanks Brandie & Gabriella (Shane, too)

for helping us locate another Geocache.


When we returned from our afternoon Geocaching we found this. Guess we can't leave the kids home alone with the wine cellar door unlocked - Ha!

All in all, a very fun way to spend the day.

And if you want to learn more about "Geocaching" go ahead and click on the word.

Time MARCHes On

Here I am again, one month later. I have to wonder that just because I'm so busy during the week, why is it then when the weekend comes around I don't sit down and blog a little? I mean, other people FIND the time, MAKE the time, HAVE the time. I guess I just need inspiration to actually blog.

So, am I inspired today? Ummm...not sure? But I do feel like I've accomplished "some" things that warrant blogging.

So here it is in a nutshell (or Blogshell).

And I suppose I could start off by saying that I will probably post again in April (though, if it comes to pass that I am "inspired" and post before then, "Woo Hoo"!).

February brought a spa date with my LAGF (LA girlfriend), Valentine's day, a new laptop thanks to Am Ex Warranty, friends in "small group" for dinner and a movie, and lots of "Custom Aprons" ordered.


Spa Date:

First, I have to say I love my friends dearly. So when two of of my DGF's (dearest girl friends) moved out-of-state (several years ago), I found myself in search of comfort from some OGF's (other girl friends), which now I refer to as my NGF's (nearest girl friends). *hee hee*

And if I can, I never pass up a Spa Date! And my first call is to my SPGF (spa buddy girl friend) who seems to be willing to drive miles to hang with me at my favorite location "Atmosphere Day Spa" in Laguna Hills. I LOVE that about her. So when we can, we try to have a spa date every month or two and just "veg", "relax", "drink tea", "break bread" and LAUGH, of course.

Me personally? I could not and would not survive this crazy world without my "GF's" (girl friends). So, thanks to all of you from the bottom of my heart. You ALL mean the world to me.




Valentines Day:


I had wanted to go to The Old Spaghetti Factory and when we headed down at lunch on a Sunny Sunday Valentines afternoon we discovered it CLOSED. What?!? So what better thing to do, but to go to the store, buy some mizithra cheese and head home to make our own pasta. I wouldn't have traded this Valentines for any other - spent quietly at home with my hubby. Life is good!



New Lap Top:


A new lap top thanks to American Express' warranty. I will more than likely always buy my computers from Costco (because of their tech support and warranty). And I will most definitely use my Am Ex when purchasing because of their extended warranty and policy. Hands Down the best! And even though I did not recoup the entire $1400 original cost of my other laptop (only 3 yrs old with a motherless board); I did get approx $850 to either repair or purchase a new laptop. It made more sense to purchase "new" so I'm back in a warranty with Costco and Am Ex and I have newer bells and whistles. :) I don't think I use my laptop much, but it's great to have when I want to sell on Etsy or Blog.




"Small Group" Dinner & a Movie:


I actually have some pictures to post from our dinner in late February with our friends from Saddleback Church. Our small group leaders suggested a movie we all watch together. A South African movie titled "Faith Like Potatoes". It was a moving story; but after full bellies, would have been better if it was a half hour less. *grin* But good, nonetheless.



Because our small group leaders are always hosting, Jim and I offered to host in our home for this event. And it was great! A full table with excellent conversation, yummy food, and the best part - Friends!

If you'd like to take a peek at my "custom aprons" that I created in February, you can pop on over to my Sew Sassy Apron blog.

Hope you all had a lovely February. And I pray that your March is filled with Springtime and luck of the Irish.

May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks.
May your heart be as light as a song.
May each day bring you bright happy hours,
That stay with you all year long.

~author unknown~

I'm Baaaaack! And I'm Bloggin!

"I cannot believe it's been a month since I last blogged". Funny - each time I haven't blogged in a while and finally return to "Blog World" I say this.

Have I really been that busy? <--- I say this "every time", too. I really do!

Yes - I suppose "I have" been that busy. But I don't feel too bad. As I look at some of my friend's blogs I realize that some have not blogged for even longer. I truly miss reading up on my friends. Thank goodness for "the few" that blog faithfully and frequently. And thank goodness for Facebook.

During these busy "summer" days, Facebook is simply an easier/quicker/faster way to keep up with many. But I also realize that it doesn't replace blogging. Blogging can be very theraputic. And not only that, but a fun way to share. So now is my chance at catching up with the past month's happenings. Not only have my weekend's been filled with fun, friends and family - but work has been extremely busy preparing for our annual audit. But I don't plan on blogging about work. Just about the fun things. So let's get started...

In the beginning of July we got to spend a little time down in Balboa/Newport Beach with our favorite brother and sister-in-law. Okay - maybe they're our only brother and sister-in-law, but they are still our favorite! Here's a few pics of the morning we met for breakfast.

The pharmacy has been there for what seems like forever.

The middle of July my mom had scheduled "open heart" surgery to repair a damaged valve. While we waited for her to come out of surgery, my dad, my hubby and I spent the morning walking around the "Farmers Market" in LA.

Yes - we're not the normal family that waits in a hospital "waiting" room. We go out and find some entertainment or food.

Hey - my mom wanted us to go - honestly she did. So we diligently followed her instructions and got the heck outta the hospital and drove strait to Farmer's Market where we enjoyed some tasty pastries and roasted coffee - Yum! We also had fun walking around a looking at all the interesting booths/stores.

Landmark Sign

Dad hangin' out at the old gas station. "Filler up"?

News Stand - Magazines memoralizing Farah and Michael Jackson.

LA Bags/Totes.

Too early for Ice Cream; but loved the GIANT cone sign.

It's true what the sign says - the coffee & doughnuts were AMAZING!

Tasty, Fresh and Roasted goodness.

Peanut Butter Makin' Machine

Out-of-Focus Fruit stand.

Colorful Candy display.

Totally fun Hot Sauce labels. I thought of my cousin, while I shot these photos. He LOVES spicy hot sauces. Hmmm? Maybe I should have bought some?

More funny labels.

Check out the funny Cowboy Hot Sauce bottles.

Silly Hats on Dad & Jim. I think they had a sugar rush from the coffee & doughnuts.

Caitlin came out to visit with her boyfriend, Devin. It's always nice to spend quality time with her. Jim gets so excited when she comes for a visit. Especially this visit. Jim surprised Caitlin by giving her his Prius. She doesn't have a vehicle and it's been difficult for her to get around (especially to school). So he couldn't wait to see her face when he told her.

After dinner on Friday night (Caitlin gets a surprise)!

Her enthusiasm is priceless!

Proud Papa and Happy Faced Kid!

As usual when Caitlin comes (if we can manage it) we try to plan fun things. This time we were able to go to an Angel's game. It was fun and the Angel's won!

Caitlin drove us to breakfast prior to the game. I think she's pretty happy with the car. What do you think?

Sunday we took a boat out on Mission Viejo Lake. We invited our cousins Shane & Brandie and their sweet baby, Gabriella. It was our way of celebrating all the July birthdays. We enjoyed a beautiful float in the boat and lunch on the lake.

Here's the happy car owner, Caitlin and her boyfriend, Devin.

I also found myself at a Bridal shower for my girlfriend, Celeste. We are getting very excited about being at her wedding in October. Florida should actually have nice weather by then.

"Why?" you may be asking, "is Celeste standing in a shower with a cup o' tea?" Well don't most Bride's-to-be do this? Maybe not...

Her friend threw her a beautiful Bridal Tea Party. It was up in L.A. Well it was a sweet tea house. And in this tea house they had a shower. So why not have ... a "shower in a shower"? Hey! It seemed novel at that time.

So that's it for pictures and stories.

I would love to post the few I took in Vegas for Celeste's Bachelorette party. But you know what they say "what happens in Vegas..."

So, now I'm super excited about my next Blog post. I'm back to making aprons again! Now that things are slowing down a bit. So keep an eye out for my "custom apron" that I created along with a little fun tea cozy!

Hope you've been enjoying your Summer as much as I have.

Blog you later!