Back to the Future

We're back from a fun-filled week of learning about colonial history. We saw lots of historic sites, I now understand colonial history way more that I ever learned in school. We saw plantations, the Governors Palace, the courthouse for minor crimes, the capital building for felonies and meetings of the Virginia delegates. We saw films laying out the importance of the period.

I'd like to go again and take the grandkids. I think the girls will find it fascinating. So much better to learn the history in person than from a book.

"...And in the end... The love you take is equal to the love you make." ---The Beatles

Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Wow, it's a new year already! I guess it's true that time flies when you're having fun. And boy did I have fun in 2007!!

• Visited tons of places in southern California - beaches, mountains, trails, sites
• Welcomed Snicker into our family
• Made a couple really good friendships - Hi Terry - Hi Damian!!
  
• Got laid-off
  
• Accepted a position and learned hardware manufacturing AND telecom industry.
• Road the Coaster to work
  
• Ate at some of the best restaurants in San Diego
• My Significant Other retired on a disability retirement
  
• Visited Cincinnati a few times
• Went out house hunting
• Bought a house!!
  
• Moved to Cincinnati
  
• Spent Christmas and New Year's with our family and friends.
  

It's a great year and I am sure that 2008 will be even greater!! Some of the things that I want to accomplish in 2008:

• Pay off my bills
• Get the few things that we need fo rthe house
• Get married????!!!!!!!!!???????? Could it really happen??????
• Rake the tons of leaves on our acre!!
  
• Get in shape by raking, shoveling, walking
• Go to Weight Watchers - this week!!!
• Take a vacation to Estes Park, Colorado
• Take another vacation to San Diego to see Tamara and friends
• Take another vacation to Florida by the beach, maybe Tampa / St. Pete
• Enjoy my kids, my family and of course my crazy friends!!
  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."
---The Beatles

Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

Thursday morning....back to the grind :)

Even though I don't consider my job a "grind" like some people do, I'm still heading to work on the train and wishing I was still in Cincinnati. I miss my kids, friends, family. They really want us to move back and after being there, it would be the smart thing to do. We don't have any support system here - and with Roland's health issues we will need it.

If something happens to him, I'm the only driver in the house now, so it will be all on me. If we were living in Cincinnati it would be totally different. His family, my family, the kids, our friends - we could all drive him if he needed it. Plus, there is a good transportation system for medical support in the area.

It would be an adjustment of sorts: we would end up paying LESS for gas, housing, utilities, food, clothing, taxes - well GEE - WE WOULD PAY LESS FOR EVERYTHING!! What the heck! Our family and friends are watching out for good pieces of property for us to consider buying and as far as everyone is concerned - we are moving back to Cincinnati.

I would have a job either way - would prefer to keep my current job because I really do love it. Don't know how they would feel about it, but I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
The vacation was great, the time off was needed, the trip was absolutely divine! Funny, we live in 'vacationland' and prefer to go back to the midwest for vacation - my co-workers think I'm nuts! And they are probably right, but not for this reason!

I'm on the train - it actually rained today so I didn't want to drive my car - the traffic is at a standstill anyway but even worse when it rains. These people would be lost if they had to drive
in the snow :) I hope when they go to Big Bear to ski, that I'm not on the roads. I do love the train, I love that I can type/read/listen to music and ride to work. It's so worth it! I was going to try to get there at 7:30 this morning, but I just couldn't make myself get up in time. I guess I am having a tough time getting off of vacation. :)

Thanks for everyone that I got to see for making my trip so much fun and for those that I didn't get to see or talk to, when we move back I'll be sure to see you! Wish me luck making the decisions, getting my company on board and making another cross country move. (THE LAST ONE I HOPE!!)

healthy living

My son and his wife were just here showing me some of the health products they sell with their business. I think it's great because they are really into it, they like the products and gave me samples. Has anyone ever heard of Quixtar? They have "exclusive" products that are making eating and staying healthy simple. If it's simple will we do it?

I already try, but sometimes the cravings take over. If there are healthful alternatives maybe the cravings can be controlled. I'm going to try...........I've been on vacation and so far it's been an EAT-FEST!! Good thing there wasn't Oktoberfest while we were in town - we ate enough Cincinnati food - Skyline, Frisch's, White Castle (yes, against my will I had a cheeseburger), Riley's, IHOP (and it was horrid), Cazadore's, Dancing Wasabe (absolutely wonderful), and my favorite the cookout at my friend's with all the home cooking.

We have one more day here in town, then when we get up Wed. morning, we're heading back to San Diego. One of these days, it will be the opposite way...we'll be leaving San Diego and heading back home.

"The most effective way to do it, is to do it." - Amelia Earhart

Vacation

We are having so much fun on vacation! We're visiting our family and friends and it's fantastic!! We've eaten so much food it's ridiculous!! I wanted Skyline - he wanted Frisch's - I wanted wings (getting that today) - he wanted White Castle (eeeeccckkk!) - we had a cookout at my best friend's house last night, big bonfire, great time - great food, friends, family and laughter. IT WAS GREAT TO SEE MY FRIENDS!! We all had a wonderful time.

One thing about Cincinnati, we have everything that California has (except the beaches and mountains) but as for stores, restaurants, events, football, baseball - there's always a festival, somewhere to go and something to do.

Yesterday, we drove around in our rented red, convertible mustang - we went all over the place, started out in Springdale, hit Winton Woods, NCH, Hartwell, Reading, Amberley, Deer Park, Kenwood, Madiera, Indian Hill, Loveland, Maineville, Landen, Mason, Goshen Township, and ended in Milford. It was so much fun - so many trees, so much green, big beautiful houses, giant yards, perfect weather. I just can't tell you how wonderful it is here.

Don't get me wrong, So Cali is amazing - but it's crowded and expensive. Here it's friendly, open, affordable and wonderful. :) Can you tell I miss it??? hehe

Oh well, we're off to church, going to the Vineyard - totally great church - and then off to watch the Bengals. So, I have to go get ready, more later!!!

Vacation count down

Got the airfare - got the hotel - got the rental car - got the luggage - decided on a kennel - READY TO GO!!

Heading to Cincinnati on Thursday, have some very busy days at work coming but then, no matter what - I'm on vacation - I get to see my kids, my friends, my family and my city!!! You know, it's great being here in So Cali. I love the ocean, the breeze, the mountains, the weather, but I miss my home town - Cincinnati!! I miss the Reds, the Bengals, Riverfront, Newport on the Levee, great restaurants, good business, strong economy. I just love it all!!

So, I get to be there for a whole week!! Party next Saturday - cookout, bonfire, friends, food, drinks! Yeah!! Bengals vs Browns on Sunday..........Cazedores, sushi/wine!

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is one California destinations that we haven't been to yet. Living out here has afforded us many long weekend trips filled with days and days of magnificent vistas in perfect weather to enjoy them. We have paid for a 3 day 2 night all inclusive for $99 that we were suppoesd to schedule for October in Lake Tahoe. I was really looking forward to it. '

Now, I'm not sure what it will be like, if we will get to go to Tahoe. They have other resorts in the area so perhaps I will ask them to change the venue. I kind of like this one: San Luis Bay at Avila Beach. Just the idea of being on the ocean for 3 days without any interruptions is heavenly. Aaahhh Heavenly Thoughts :)

There's one that in Mexico, I can't recall the name or where, my daughter knows. But that would be a good alternative as well. I might as well see and do as much as I can afford while I'm here. Just never know when I will have to go back to Ohio and back to my old life. It might happen you know. We would definitely entertain the thought once his retirement is here. Depending on the kidney transplant.

Back to Lake Tahoe, so sorry to hear about the people who live there and are depending on the July 4th tourists to bring in a chunk of change for them. I know it would suck to have a shop and no tourists during the busiest time of the year for them. Maybe we'll see you in the fall.

"No one travelling on a business trip would be missed if he failed to arrive."
--- Thorstein Veblen

Have not been writing regularly

Several of my readers have sent me messages wondering if I have fallen off the face of the earth since I'm not writing regularly. Thankfully, I am still around! I have just been extremely busy with my new job and there's nothing really interesting going on - I just go to work, ride the train, come home (total 11 hrs or so), walk the dog, eat dinner. Nothing overly exciting! I don't have much time for too much. By the time I have dinner, I have about an 1 1/2 hrs to relax, read, catch up on housework, or whatever I might have to do. I try to just hang out at the house and do as little as possible.

Then on the weekends, I spend my Sat morning running errands: bank, farmer's market, library, grocery store, walmart and any other errands. We go to the movie every weekend as long as there's something interesting to see. Usually there is. But as you can see, my life is pretty "normal" "boring" and not too much to write about right now.

I do have some fun plans coming up, worthy of writing about :)

1. going to a star gazing class this weekend with my telescope that I got for Christmas
2. taking my daughter to the airport because she's travelling back to Ohio for a nice, long visit
3. planning my own trips back to Ohio for a visit this fall
4. planning a trip with my family to Lake Tahoe

Some of those will be fun to do and I will have pictures and something to write about. So for now, I have to go to work. Everyone take care and I will try to write a "small" blurb daily - I promise!!

"The future is upon us."
--- anon

SO MUCH to do....SO LITTLE time!!!

I have been so busy. Phone calls, job searching, doctor appts, tons of errands, and NEW SUNGLASSES!! Yep, today, I went out to spend my Flex Spending $$$. It took sunglasses for both my daughter and myself to spend it all. I have to get it mailed in tomorrow. So much to do, so little time.

You know, it's crazy, I should be enjoying some of this time off. I have things that I want to wrap up - I have some plants to take care of, still need to put my stereo together, am looking for another box of videos that I have yet to find, have to take care of the dog, my foot is still swollen and it slows me down, want to start hitting the gym, and spend some time relaxing at the beach. Wow! I need a vacation :) Hey, wait, I have one.........but unfortunately, have to spend it looking for a job.

Maybe, I'll get a job soon....be able to take a little time off to get my wish list done - RIGHT!!?!

Happy Friday!!

"Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!"
--- Eleanor Roosevelt

Skyline Chili, Cincy, and B-Drive

What is it about a friend visiting? IT’S FABULOUS!!! B-Drive is here visiting for 3 days and unfortunately those days are working days, but we knew in advance that it would be like this. Regardless, I am so happy that he is here. We have been friends for 11 years now. We met at UC, became INSTANT friends, took classes together, lived next to each other, really became integrated into each other’s lives. The last time we saw each other was Dec 2005 until yesterday. Wow!!

I watched him mature into a wonderful, responsible man – well, he was always wonderful and responsible and a man, but now he is one nice package all rolled up into one. He has a great girlfriend (who I still hope to meet soon), his own computer business, a real estate endeavor which was very successful, comes from a wonderful family and great parents, has some of the funniest friends I’ve ever seen, has the most friends of anyone I know, well traveled and a seasoned, experienced man. And on top of it all, he’s kind, sensitive and loving! I’m proud to call him my friend. Overall, I would vote him to be one of the best men I have ever met.

He has watched my kids grow up and is still very involved with them. He has always cared for them and they for him. Since he still lives in Cincy and so does my son, it’s nice to know that he’s there for moral support from time to time as needed. Honestly, he could have been my little brother and in another life, we most definitely had to be connected in some way.

So this is how we are when we’re together – we laugh, talk, drink, eat and talk more. We talk on top of each other, we debate political issues – sometimes I think we should not. Sometimes we agree, but more than likely we don’t. He’s more liberal than I am – but he also remembers a time when I was more liberal. My politics changed after 9/11 and as my kids grew up. Maybe I learned some things the hard way that he hasn’t learned, maybe it’s my upbringing coming out in me – but I am more conservative now than I used to be. So, as you can well imagine, it’s a point of debate, healthy debate I might add.

Regardless of our politics, we have a deep love, caring and best interest in mind for each other. We will remain friends the rest of our lives. Funny, how that happens in our journey. Meeting people in the strangest ways, but connecting instantly. It’s undeniable that it’s fate or kismet or whatever you may want to call it. But when it happens it’s real and it lasts. So, for the next 2 days I am going to enjoy as much of his time as I can.

Oh yea, thanks for the Skyline – he brought us an entire CASE of Skyline!! I love it!!

"Here's all you need to know about men and women: Women are crazy, and men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid."

-- George Carlin

Beka's 20th Birthday

Today is Beka's 20th birthday......wow, my 'baby' is 20. No longer a teenager! That freaks me out!! You know what that means, I'm getting older whether I want to or not.

I'm so proud of her, she's plugging away at her college degree. She's experimenting with new subjects and classes and even when it's hard she presses forward. She's working 25 hrs a week and keeps a very positive attitude about work. They really like her, so much that she is taking her 3 weeks off to go to Cincinnati and has a job when she gets back! That's impressive.

Last night, we opened Christmas and Birthday presents with her. This is a FIRST EVER to open both at the same time and early at that. The one thing that I LOVED is after she opened her presents and some were REALLY nice - she said "Thanks! I got EVERYTHING I wanted!!!" WOW! We were so happy to hear that. She was kissing us and hugging us and happy, happy! That made me happy.

She's leaving tomorrow for 3 LONG WEEKS in Cincinnati, visiting family and friends. She's been saving money, her friends have been saving money to take her out and of course there's the holidays. She's my ambassador at all Christmas parties. She'll pass out Christmas presents at Jake's for all of the kids and we'll be on the phone. I hope everyone likes what we are getting them.

Today, she's preparing for her trip, doing laundry, getting a manicure and pedicure, then going to drive me around for the last time in 3 weeks. Man, what will I do without my driver?? I can't drive for a long time still........Roland is back at work, so I'm stuck until he can take me out. Boo-bummer!!

God Bless Beka on her birthday, I pray for safe travel to Cincinnati tomorrow and hope she has a good time in Cincinnati, stays safe and returns to me on time, in one piece and ready to get back to the routine of life in Southern Cali!!

Love you, Beka! Happy 20th Birthday!!

Schmap!! Anchorage

Our trip to Anchorage last year has paid off again!! Now I have two photos in the Schmap Anchorage Travel Guide!! I'm so excited! Look down the left side of my navigation for the Schmap Picker. Pick the Anchorage guide to see pics by Peg!!

Also, enjoy the travel guides, they are really well done and I'm proud to be a part of the publication!

Hey, Brian! I am published!!