Three Months of Amazing

The adventures of the last 3 months have made me very neglectful on this blog. How does one condense all of the things that have been going on in our lives? 

In March, after 8 months of planning, payments, and prep, Eric and I went on our first cruise! The first for both of us.  It was an "Osmond Brothers Fan Appreciation Cruise," leaving from Fort Lauderdale, FL, with 6 days and 5 nights aboard the Celebrity Constellation. There were stops in Cozumel, Mexico and Key West, Florida, plus daily activities with the Osmond Brothers (Merrill, Jay, and Jimmy) and our group of 110 people.

We had SO MUCH FUN!!

The bonus was that we made some incredible friends from around the world. We met people it felt like we'd known forever. We're excited to nurture these friendships for many years. And, after the cruise was over, we zipped home for 2 days, then flew to Vegas for another week to see the Osmond Brothers in concert there. Many people from the cruise were in Vegas too, which made it feel like an extended vacation!

After combing through my hundreds of pictures, I picked out just a few to share here. Of course, there is no way to ever duplicate the fun feeling and excitement of each day. These two back to back trips are experiences we will never forget.

After 2 nights in Fort Lauderdale, we finally boarded our beautiful ship! Celebrity Cruise Lines definitely set a high standard for any and all future cruises we take.

It was SO nice to have a stateroom with a balcony. It was a small room, but with creative storage that made it feel bigger than it was. Being able to step out on the balcony and enjoy the beauty of the ocean was truly wonderful.

On our first evening on the ship there was a reception where we saw the Osmond Brothers and got a feel for the fun adventures ahead!  Above, me with Jimmy, Merrill, and Jay Osmond. All superb performers, but even more important--impressive gentlemen.

Tuesday was our day at sea. The Osmond Brothers held a private concert just for our group and that evening was Formal Night. We dressed in our best and had a fancy dinner with lobster, frogs legs, steak, and a treasure trove of desserts. Above is Eric and me with the 2 wonderful couples we became close friends with: Gary and Julie from the UK on the left and Rick and Julia from Scotland on the right.

The Osmond Brothers are troopers when it comes to picture opportunities with everyone. L-R Merrill, me, Eric, Jimmy, Jay. Such a fun, fun evening!

Wednesday we stopped in Cozumel, Mexico. Here's a panoramic shot of Eric and others outside on the back of the ship.

In Cozumel we spent the day at XCaret, an ecological park in Playa del Carmen. It was an 8 hour shore excursion that gave us only 5 hours at the park, but we made the most of it (despite harrowing ferry rides to and from!)  The lunch was excellent and the beach was beautiful. In retrospect we probably should have chosen something different that day, but we were new at this. This is still one of my favorite pictures from the entire trip as we were heading out of the park for the day.

Thursday was another day at sea, with a concert for the entire ship. That evening there was a karaoke contest, which Eric got to participate in. He was also chosen to sing a duet with Merrill Osmond, someone he has admired for many years. That night our group was treated to an ice cream social with "casual pictures" taken of all of us with the brothers.  L-R Jay, Eric, me, Jimmy, Merrill. By this time we had all become pretty comfortable with each other, which was awesome.

Friday was our day in Key West. We loved Key West!! We rode the Conch Train with our group for a couple of hours and then got to tour around on our own.

Friday evening was our last reception with the Osmond Brothers. They sat at a table and sang songs "off the cuff" while signing everyone's pictures from Formal Night and Casual Night. It was sad to think of that amazing week coming to an end. Above are pictures Eric and I took with Jimmy Osmond.

Saturday mid-morning, back at the hotel in Fort Lauderdale. We made it through customs and easily found our shuttle from the port. Believe me when I tell you I ended up crashing into bed at 3pm, I was SO tired! We went downstairs around 8 and had a little pizza in the restaurant, then back to bed. Happy, weary, and yes, HAPPY travelers!

The next day was Sunday, Easter Sunday actually, and our last full day in Florida. It was nice to be together, just us. We took a trolley to the beach, ate an incredible lunch at...um...The Drunken Taco...then headed back to the hotel for more rest and packing up for our departure the next day.

Two days after we arrived home, we headed to Vegas! A fun event called Carnivale was scheduled for Saturday afternoon. We ate snacks, bonded with friends, and played silly games. Eric won a raffle, which was very cool--"a phone call with Merrill." He was on Cloud 9!

On Sunday we went to church with a group of new friends, then lunch at Cheesecake Factory at Caesar's Palace.  Agatha, in purple is from Holland and a translator for the LDS Church. Debbie, in blue and black, became a close friend and we will be staying with her and her husband in Utah next week. We're pretty excited!

A very yummy lunch and fun chatting was a great way to bond with new friends.

One great thing about the concerts on the ship was the lighting. It was perfect for pictures!

We've been on a high ever since we came home. I can't believe we've already been home for nearly 2 months! Next week, though, we head off to Utah! It will be Eric's first time there, so we will be meeting up with some of our new friends from our trips and doing the "tourist thing." It will be so fun!

In the midst of our homecoming, we decided to sell our cute little RV, the Winnebago Chalet. Talk about amazing timing. The same day we told the place where it was stored, they had made the decision to close. AND, only 2 days after making our intention to sell public on Facebook, we had a done deal!!

Jennifer, the Chalet's new owner and her friend, Lisa, rolled out of here on Monday morning.

The RV was bought by a girl (yes, we are still girls) I went to high school with in California. How amazing is that? She and a friend flew up here last Saturday evening and stayed with us for 2 nights. Eric and I got the RV all spic and span, giving her a lot of the items we had bought for it. After church on Sunday, I made us all dinner while Eric took her through the RV systems. The next morning they were on their way!

We love our Chalet, but we just weren't using it enough to make it worth it. And yes, we discovered we enjoyed cruising a lot more than camping. As our neighbor observed Monday afternoon..."Yeah, I didn't really see you as Winnebago people." True, we weren't Winnebago people. But it was a fun chapter of adventure and experimentation. We are also happy to see that chapter come to a close and feel like we've simplified our lives a little in the process.

Well, how's that for condensing? Have I left out a lot of details? YOU BET. But this is a blog, not a book.

I will say this...we have been ABUNDANTLY blessed lately. The Lord and His timing have worked miracles in our home and in our marriage. "Fantastic" is getting even better.  We are truly, truly grateful.

P.S.  Want to see my picture nice and big? Click on one and there you go!

Happy Birthday to Me

Cards from (back, left to right) my hubby, in-laws, grandma, (front, left to right) my mom, our Relief Society. The photo on the RS card is by me!  It's kind of cool to get a card with a picture that I took.

This is the inside of the birthday card I received from my cute, 7 year old nephew. Now the world knows 2 things:  I turned 44 and I WILL have a Happy Birthday.

We are just coming out of our Birthday Weekend!  By "we," I mean Eric and me, because his birthday was on Friday and mine was on Saturday. Yes, having our birthdays back to back is pretty great.

The weather has been gorgeous these last few days, with lots of sunshine and highs in the upper 60s and low 70s. Eric took a few days off and worked in the backyard making planters for this year's crop of vegetables.  That is how he wanted to spend his birthday, so when he asked me what I wanted to do on mine, I gave him that day too. One thing I've learned from living in the Pacific Northwest is that you can't waste a good sunshine day if you want to work outdoors.

While Eric worked in the backyard on his birthday I was treated to some birthday sushi by a friend, got my nails done in preparation for our upcoming trip, and hit a sale at Macy's.  That evening, once he felt like he'd accomplished all he wanted to do that day, we went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. Not exactly a low calorie day, but it was a very nice one.

On my birthday I puttered around the house as Eric puttered in the yard. All week, instead of going to the gym, I walked 5 miles around the neighborhood each morning. They were chilly mornings, but gorgeous. A refreshing way to get my 10,000 steps.

A few cards came in the mail and the birthday love poured in on Facebook all day, the next day, and even today!  It's nice to be remembered.

Another year counting my blessings.  There are many.

One Small Slice

As a blogger and amateur photographer, I have a unique personal filter. I'm always looking for that next photograph or that next subject about which to write.

The funny thing is that I don't even do it consciously anymore.

This morning I was humbled by apples.

I've been in one of my book-devouring moods lately, finishing 3 books in the last week. This morning, on the elliptical and treadmill at the gym, I was reading a young adult book about the Holocaust called Yellow Star. That grim period in history has produced so many amazing stories.

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An old woman recounts her childhood experiences in a Polish ghetto to her niece. Food is scarce. Most meals consist of watery vegetable soup and weak coffee.

As the ghetto empties due to mass transports to the concentration camps, those who remain are able to eat slightly better.

One day the girl's father brings an apple to a group of children hiding in a cellar. He divides it up among the wide-eyed boys and girls and gives each of them one...small...slice.

It is a treasure.

It is a luxury.

It is a reminder of the way things were and a hopeful sign of the future.

One small slice.

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After the gym it was time to buy groceries. At the top of the list I wrote out last night was "apples."

I live in Washington State, the Mecca of apples. Their quality is unsurpassed and their quantity abundant.

Looking down the rows and rows of apples at the store I almost felt shame at the cornucopia of colors and choices.  Our favorite is the organic Fuji.

At home I sliced one up to include in my daily breakfast smoothie. I've made it a habit to haphazardly pop the first slice into my mouth because it's common knowledge the first slice always tastes the best.

But this time I was very aware that in a certain circumstance, something as simple as apples can be a gift. So I held that piece in my mouth a little longer, chewed it a little slower, and savored its sweetness a little more.

Then, I felt gratitude for that one small slice.

Darling Darcy: Measuring Time in the Life of a Cat

(Recently I joined a newly-formed writers critique group in our community called Writers Haven. Although this piece was originally written on February 10, 2015, I saved it for publication in order to use it as a submission to my fellow group members.)

We all measure our lives in different ways. As a former teacher, my life used to be measured by the school year. While others used January to December, I measured the year from September to June, the months when Life was in its highest gear. Much was expected, much was given, and downtime was rare.

Now, 5 years away from the classroom and married to a shift worker, Life is a series of 4-4-4. Four days on, four days off. Four nights on, four off. Activities like writing in quiet solitude, reading for pleasure, and nosily bumping around doing housework revolve around my husband's schedule. Trust me, I'm not complaining. I much prefer Life as it is now.

Three weeks ago I was reminded of another of Life's yardsticks. Measuring time through the lives of our pets. What? You say? Well, if you have loved a pet, you'll understand. Relationships with our furry companions are some of the most enduring.

After 18 years and several months of declining health, it was time to say goodbye to my cat, Darcy, on January 21^st. I realize it is playing God and, for me, the best thing to do is make the decision and make the appointment. The sooner the better.

As I knelt on the clinic floor, my hand under Darcy's chin while the sedative took effect, I thought about all that has transpired since that October afternoon in 1996 when I adopted a beautiful, blue-eyed seal-point kitten and his adorable black-and-white sister.

It had been a milestone Saturday morning. A small group of friends had helped me move into my first apartment in Alhambra, California. I was finally on my own, a few months into my first teaching job in Los Angeles, and still going to school to earn my credential. Sure, I had practiced living “independently” during those years at college, but this was different. I had picked my own living space, bought my own furniture and, best of all, there were no roommates. All I needed was a couple of kittens to add warmth to the atmosphere.

Yes, Darcy and his sister, Ashley, who died in 2013, were the kitties I had as a real grown up, doing grown-up things with grown-up responsibilities.

Darcy was my talkative love bug cat. He followed me from room to room, and slept between my feet or stretched out alongside my leg under the covers.

Over the years we lived together in 4 different places in 2 different states. We cuddled through the stress of changing jobs, losing a parent and grandparents, and even through the horrific loss in 2006 of a man I thought I would marry.

Darcy was there in January 2009 when a very nice man contacted me online. He was there a few weeks later when that man and I met in person. He was there when my future husband got on one knee in my California living room and proposed.

By the time I moved to Washington, in October 2010, Darcy was part of the older generation of pets, accompanied by his sister, Ashley, and my dog, Bailey. The new generation started with Ramius, an abandoned kitten I found under the hydrangea in my front yard.

At 6 o'clock in the morning, September 30, 2010, my new husband and I put my remaining belongings in the car and set off on an 18-hour trek up Interstate 5. The 3 kitties huddled, terrified, in a roomy carrier in the back of my SUV and 100 lb Bailey dominated the back seat. We arrived at our recently purchased house in the Old West Side at 1AM, exhausted and dazed from the whirlwind of the last few months.

And here it is, almost 5 years later and the end of an era. Ashley, Bailey, and now,Darcy, are all gone. Of the critters who made that journey, only Ramius remains, along with our newest kitty, 6 month old Maggie May.

I know it sounds silly to some, but our pets are part of the family. They don't replace children or friends, but they do carve unique marks on the heart. Of course, the greatest thing about a pet is that they offer no judgement, cynicism, or advice. All a pet wants is for its basic needs to be met. In return, it will give you the unconditional love that you'll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. 

Confession: this is not actually Darcy. Although he was a beautiful cat, he took terrible pictures. But this gorgeous one looks identical to him when he was at his healthiest. (Picture borrowed from musicgirl094.wordpress.com.)

 

A Day at the Temple

Click on the photo to enlarge to full screen.

Today at the Portland Temple, running a bit early, I circled around the building and took several pictures.  It is a beautiful edifice and wonderful subject.

Sun peeking through the trees is a favorite nuance of mine, so I immediately gravitated towards this photo when I saw them all on the computer screen hours later. After driving 60 miles through a persistent drizzle, the celestial orb finally made its appearance around 10am. I felt a quiet confirmation that I was spending my day as I should. Laundry and other housework could wait. When you go to the temple you are doing the Lord's work--much more important.

The sunshine generously continued during the drive home and a brisk afternoon walk. Dinner with my sweet husband was the perfect conclusion. I will say farewell to this day feeling blessed.

Passion. Exhausting or Exhilarating?

Today I listened to a 19 year old young woman give a talk about embarking on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She has been called to Taipei, Taiwan and leaves in 17 days. After a few weeks learning the basics of a new language (spoken AND written) and about the missionary discussions she will be teaching, she'll be thrust into the most amazing adventure she's ever experienced.

But what I loved most about her talk today was her passion for everything she cares about--the Gospel, her family, her beliefs--everything. And I thought about how, at that young age when the world is open to you and anything seems possible, enthusiasm like that is so pure. It isn't until we're older and knocked around by Life a little that passion often makes way for cynicism.

It made me think of a line from the Cinderella adaption, Ever After, where the prince says to his future princess, "How can you live every day with such passion? Don't you find it exhausting?"

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Passion (from the Latin verb patere meaning to suffer) is a very strong feeling about a person or thing. Passion is an intense emotion, compelling enthusiasm or desire for anything.
Passion may be a friendly or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, discovery, or activity or love – to a feeling of unusual excitement, enthusiasm or compelling emotion, a positive affinity or love, towards a subject. (from Wikipedia)
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Yes. Passion CAN be exhausting.

When I think of the definition of that word in terms of "intense emotion," I broaden that meaning to include being very sensitive to things, sensitive to how one treats another, sometimes caring to the point of distraction.

There are times I feel things so deeply that I need to have a little talk with myself. It isn't necessarily a flaw, it's just how I'm wired. Usually it is directed toward some injustice I've witnessed, a person who didn't get the credit he/she deserved, or empathy for a child or animal being mistreated.

I'm not saying these feelings are right or wrong, but they certainly present the person feeling that way with some choices. Step in--maybe where you don't belong--or take the route of indifference? Speaking from personal experience, the route of indifference usually leads to guilt because you can't  "un-feel" something once you've felt it. Changing how you feel about something or someone is usually a long process, but it isn't the same as erasing the emotion.

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"Even as we seek to be meek and to avoid contention, we must not compromise or dilute our commitment to the truths we understand. We must not surrender our positions or our values....'Loving-kindness' is required, but a follower of Christ--just like the Master--will be firm in the truth."   --Elder Dallin H. Oaks
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As difficult as it may be sometimes, it's OK to stand up for Truth and for what you believe in. There's a right way and a wrong to say everything. And if you want someone to really hear you, choose the way of respect and kindness. Disagreement and contention will never happily coexist. But disagreement and respect will...and do.

And yes, Passion can also be very exhilarating!

Channeling energy towards personal betterment that benefits others too is a wonderful thing. I experienced this (accidentally) during my weight loss journey. While throwing myself passionately into exercising more and eating less--chronicling the odyssey on my other blog--suddenly I was getting calls, emails, and Facebook messages from people asking how I was losing weight. Even better, I had people telling me I inspired them. Me, just doing my thing to lose a few pounds, inspiring others. How awesome is that?

As I come full circle with these thoughts, thinking of the unblemished passion of youth, I believe the cynicism that often appears later is very much within our control. We need to have little interviews with ourselves and ask what we are putting out in the world--positivity or negativity?  The word "Positivity" is a little weird, isn't it? Do you think it is because we don't hear it enough? Or practice it enough?

Whatever you're doing, whether it is changing the world or changing the sheets on a bed, do it with POSITIVE passion. If we each do this from our own little patchwork square in the world we can make a quilt that covers a bigger area that we ever imagined.

My year...so far!

Photo by PJ Taylor

 

 

January, where did you go? How is it that we are already midway through the month? 

Our simple Christmas came and went without much fanfare. Eric worked on Christmas Eve and Day until 5pm and you know what? It was fine.  We had a very nice dinner on Christmas Eve: ham, stuffing, rolls, veggies, Martinelli's and PIE. 

Then we went downstairs where I had set up the small group of gifts from his parents and me and opened them, just the two of us. It was easy and intimate and perfectly OK that it was only us. Eric made it an early night because of work the next day. I played on the new iPad that "Santa" gave me. 

On Christmas morning I slept in for the first time in ages, dragging myself out of bed at (shock) 8:30am to quickly shower and dress and hustle over to some friends' house who had, generously, invited me over for Christmas breakfast. The food and company was very nice as we noshed on eggs, fruit, homemade rolls and cocoa for over an hour. By the time I left, at nearly 11am, I was sufficiently stuffed.

Arriving home I called my mom and wished her Merry Christmas. She, too, was by herself that day, so we had a lengthy chat until nearly 2pm. I spent the rest of the afternoon downstairs on the sectional, alternately reading/playing/streaming on the iPad. Eric arrived home, we had leftovers from the night before, and, suddenly, Christmas 2014 was at an end.

The New Year was much the same, except that this time, Eric was working graveyard. I was committed to staying up until midnight--not because I'm a celebratory person--but because we have 3 kitties (18, 5, 4 months) who wouldn't appreciate the neighborhood fireworks without a little soothing from me. I utilized the time by working on my Relief Society lesson for the following Sunday and was happy to have the time to focus. The next night I worked on the upcoming Relief Society newsletter. Two productive evenings, if I do say so!

The last couple of weeks have been about settling into the day to day, post holiday routine.  My real commitment right now is getting a grip on eating right again and counting calories. The last 3 days have been terrible! Tomorrow--Thursday--is usually "skip the gym" day, but I haven't earned it this week, so I'm going. We have our big cruise vacation coming up in just 2 months, so there is time to do what needs to be done. It's just a couple of pounds, no big deal, but I do not want to start lapsing back into bad habits.

Yes, this will be our cruise ship! Yee!

Speaking of our cruise, we bought our plane tickets yesterday, which makes it feel even more official! Thank goodness for air miles, because we got them for a steal. 

On a personal note, I think we all do our share of soul searching at the beginning of a new year. I'm not a big New Year's Resolution person, I never have been, but I do make an effort to be self aware.

So what do I want to do this year? I want to be better. I want to be better at recognizing my flaws and conquering them. We all have them. I want to get rid of some of them. A little internal housecleaning, if you will.

What do I want right now at 9:35pm? To sleep!  It's been a good day spending lots of quality time with Eric. Do you know what a blessing it is to be married to such a good person who wants to spend time with me? I'm grateful for him every day.

Good night, Friends.

45 Minutes to Breathe Today

A little of everything! Just like the way Life has been these past few weeks!

It feels like Life has been at an extra fast pace since we adopted our kitten, Maggie, on November 8th. My CA trip--with its very full days-- Thanksgiving, and now the Christmas season make for many obligations and the desire to go to bed extra early each night. I'm sleeping around 8-9 hours a night because I need it desperately.

Christmas presents, thankfully, are done. Not wrapped, but purchased.

Christmas cards are done. Addressed and mailed. We sent out only a small number this year.

Christmas decorating is done. Thanks to a hyper kitten we decided not to put up a tree this year. Decorations from years of boutique shopping, some stockings, and 1 nativity will be enough.

I'm trying to keep a balance of what to say Yes and what to say No to, in terms of helping with Christmas things at church. Yes to helping with the Festival of Nativities. No to choir. Yes to the Christmas party. No to attending a bazaar today. I know my limits! And I know I get overwhelmed easily if I commit to too many things. Plus there are the daily house chores that need to be done. A clean house is one of the things I need to keep my sanity!

The past few days were very nice, spending time with Eric before he had to start 6 straight days of work today.  I'm looking forward to giving him nice Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners in a few weeks, even though he has to work on the 24th AND the 25th.  This is the first time since we've been married he's had to work these days and I haven't been in California. It will be fine, and I'm already thinking about how to spend my Christmas Day, like using it to work on an upcoming Relief Society lesson.

Going to the gym each morning has been my respite. Getting those steps in, reading my Kindle while listening to classical music (to drown out the horrible hip hop on the radio.)  It has really helped to keep my weight maintained with the delicious meals and treats that inevitably pop up during the holiday season.

Yes, keeping a balance is what it's all about.  My goal is to keep it up!

And next week is going to be another busy one!  5 out of 6 days are already booked!

And now?  My 45 minutes are up. Time to make dinner.

My California Trip!

I'd better write about my trip before too much time passes. I've already been home for nearly 2 weeks!

After not seeing most of my family for a year due to a sick doggie and other obligations, I finally went back and spent a week in Southern California. I have a 96 year old grandma, a cute niece and nephew, cousins, friends, and my mom, of course-- all of whom needed me to go down there.

It was a good, smooth, jam-packed week. There was something going on every single day. I rented a car for the first time and zipped from here to there seeing who I wanted to see and doing what needed to be done.

Every morning I would rise early and walk 5 miles through San Marino and the lovely Lacy Park. By Day 3 I had carved out the perfect 10,000 step route by walking to the park (about 3200 steps,) doing 2 laps on the park's outside track (getting to around 6800 steps,) then walking back to my mom's house. The smell of roses as I entered and then the smell of the surrounding eucalyptus trees were very invigorating each morning.

Once back at my mom's I would have my shake, just like Eric and I do each morning here at home, then shower and start my busy day.

Click on the photos to see them full-sized.

This was waiting for me on my bedroom door.

On my first morning I walked down to my brother's house just as they were leaving to walk to the pre school where my niece attends. I was invited to join them.

Those cute kids ride fast! My brother, Jonathan, said, "Are you ready to run?"

Later that afternoon my mom and I went to the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. A print of this beautiful painting hangs in my living room. But this is a picture of the original.

This amazing painting is one I had never noticed before in all of my many visits. Just look at the details around this war beaten soldier. He is surrounded by the carnage of battle as dead comrades lay all around him. His face shows an expression of defeat and exhaustion.

The Norton Simon also houses favorites by the known masters like Cezanne, Picasso, Rembrandt, and Rivera.

Clockwise from top left: Renoir, Monet, Degas, van Gogh..all stunning, and the real thing.

You cannot visit Southern CA and miss out on a meal from In n Out Burger. Sorry Five Guys!  In n Out is still the best. (Except maybe the Lions Club Pioneer burgers at the 4th of July celebration.)

I always make an effort to visit Tito and Tita's grave, located in the cemetery adjoining my niece's pre school. They both passed in 2008 and sometimes I still cannot believe they're gone. The stones were designed by me.

Thursday, while my nephew was at his martial arts class, my mom rested and my niece and I took a walk around the neighborhood. Fire hydrants are for climbing. It's the rule!

My mom's newest doggie, Branson. A sweet, slightly unruly Golden, rescued from a family who paid no attention to him. He is healthier and happier now. (Much happier than he looks in this photo.)

Do you see it? The next morning on my walk I passed a tree in San Marino and the light hit it just right so that this strange little tree person emerged. 

The Rose Garden at Lacy Park has some incredibly gorgeous blooms.

On Friday afternoon I spent a few hours with my cute grandma, Elinor. We had sandwiches, topped off with apple pie and ice cream. We felt like big bloated balloons, but it sure was yummy!

On Saturday I had lunch with my mom (in blue) and some of the lovely ladies from church: Helen, Afton, and Penny. They were headed off to a play, but I was headed to Downtown Disney to get Eric a jacket and meet up with my cousins.

The Downtown Disney plans changed because dinner reservations were impossible to get at a decent time. So I still went, found Eric a Disneyland jacket, then drove to meet my cousins at my aunt and uncle's house. We went to North Woods Inn for dinner instead. The best part was that I finally got to see my cousin, Robby's, two little girls in person for the very first time.  He and his wife are amazing parents. Look at the sweet look of contentment on K's face above as she nestles into her daddy's shoulder,

We had to wait 90 minutes for a table, but we had so much fun! It was great to see them!

Monday morning, back on my walk, I had to take some last pictures of Lacy Park. Those walks were my respite every day. And they helped me burn off the calories from those daily meals out!

Monday lunch with my friend, Heather. We've been friends since we were freshmen in high school.

Time to say goodbye to the kiddos! I visited my niece and nephew Monday afternoon when they got home from school. That evening I stayed in a hotel near the airport. I had an early flight. I was in bed with lights out by 8pm! It was a very full week!

Back home with my cute hubby!  He liked his Disneyland jacket! I'm glad, since I didn't actually go into Disneyland this trip.

The weary traveler. Home again!