A trip to Target via Pacifica

So I woke up on Saturday and decided to run a few errands. While I was walking down to the car parked at the church I talked myself into a trip to Target. I did not want to go over the bridge but I was pretty sure I could remember how to get the Target south of the city. Of course I did not do anything smart like look up the directions before I left the house...or even call and ask someone. No, I was so sure of my abilities in all things that I just started driving. Well, that is how I ended up in Pacifica (no there is not a Target in Pacifica). BUT look at the beautiful walk I took down the along the Ocean.

Really I was happier than I look! I only had my cell phone (since this was clearly not a planned trip!) And this is my all-natural-look!

I found a great hike that I want to come back and try. It looks pretty easy, so I am going to see if I can gather up a group for a Saturday outing.

Most of the walk is a nice path like this that is right up against the beach. So you can run in the water and sand, or walk on the nice path with the golf course on the other side.

Now here is the miraculous part - after I left Pacifica and drove back towards the city.....I found TARGET! So I got to splurge on some new shelves.

Aren't my kids cute?
And then to finish off the day, I moved around all of the furniture in my apartment. I had to get the bed away from the wall and the mold. So I made this "wall" with my bookshelves and put the bed behind. I required moving every piece of furniture in the place!

Quite the adventurous Saturday.

California Academy of Sciences

Mom came to the city to take care of me for a few days, and on Saturday we went over to the new California Academy of Sciences. Now, you might recall that Mom and Dad and I tried to go to the Academy on opening day, but it was sold out. Well, it was still plenty crowded on Saturday morning, but we had a great time. We asked someone to take our picture with the sign, but they did not quite get the sign.

The new academy has a rain forest with tons of butterflies. They come right up and land on you. I used my self control and did not scream or smash the bug when it landed on my arm!

The rain forest is four levels and each one represents a different rain forest in the world.

I loved the bottom of the rain forest, it is the sunken amazon. You walk through this tunnel and the fish are above you. The coolest part is that when you are at the top of the rain forest - you look down and see the fish with the people underneath them!

The hall of Africa is still there (I used to come to this museum years ago. It was fun to see what was still around).
I loved the pendulum too - when I was litle I always wanted to sit and watch that until it knocked the pegs down, but we never got to watch that long.

I think the aquarium was my favorite. I have been to several coral reefs and done lots of snorkeling, but I have never seen a reef like this. I could have stayed there for hours watching those fish. I think I like them on the other side of the glass better than swimming towards you. Yes, it is true, I am a chicken.

We did not see the planetarium, but we did do just about everything else. I bought a membership and I get to bring a guest anytime so come and visit me. I will show you everything but the bats and the snakes.

Darn it all

So if a blog is an online journal, and I am making a personal history then I guess you have to put in the bad with the good.

Mark and I talked last week and it turns out that we just are not in the same place, so what are you going to do? You can't force someone to love you, and you can't make a relationship on your own.

Rejection is painful, and I have been thinking a lot about why. You offer up yourself, but your gift is not accepted. There is a basic need to be wanted and when the relationship does not work out, you can't help but feel very unwanted. Add on the pressure to be married and you get to feel a failure as well. I know that it does not last forever and it is not true, but it feels like it.

I will restrain from any unkind thoughts, because what do they help?

So I move forward. I choose hope over fear. And I think, what on earth was he thinking? I am amazing.

Spring in January

I know the news all over the country is about the cold snap, but we are not feeling it here in the city. It has hit 70 everyday this week. I am usually in the office when the weather achieves this height, but I can feel it through the window. I also get to walk to work without bundling up and enjoy and lovely warm walk home too. I keep reminding myself that this is bad and we need to have big cold wet rainstorms, but it is really hard to put your heart into praying for rain when the weather is so lovely.

Not quite as exciting as the weather, but I did finally pack away the nativities and decorations. I have one little pile of holiday junk left, but I have to clean out the closet first. At least now I can shove everything in a cupboard in a pinch and make it look like I am tidy. So now you know the secret to my apartment - don't open the closet doors! I threw out the fresh wreath this morning - I guess that makes it official.

My friend and visiting teacher Annie had me over for dinner tonight. I must look hungry or sad because I keep getting invites. I am going to keep it up! Annie has two kids that crack me up. Her daughter would not say a word to me in the elevator, but as soon as we get in the apartment she grabbed my hand and took me on a complete tour of the apartment - right down to an inspection of her toothbrushes. Thanks for a great dinner and fun evening complete with brownies!

I am off to Oregon for the weekend. Well I don't get to fly out until Friday, but I driving up to Mom and Dad's tomorrow night so it seems like my trip starts soon. Yeah!

Back to work, Pizza, Temple, and Twilight

Well, it was the first official full week of work and the end of the holidays. Always so sad. I eased back into things by not unpacking, not putting away my decorations and not doing the dishes. I figured I had to go to work everyday, so why get all organized and responsible at once. It might be dangerous to my health. I will use the excuse of fighting off a little cold, but actually Zicam was amazingly helpful with the germs. I think it was suspicious that the headache and sore throat started the day after I stopped eating chocolate and the other holiday treats. Seems related to me.

I made it through the week at work without much incident, but I did accept an assignment to teach bluebooking (a citation guide like the Chicago Manual of Style). Can you think of anything more boring? I can't believe I said yes. It had to have been the lack of chocolate that lowered with my usual good judgment.

Friday night my good friends Hillary and Rodger invited me to their place to a make your own pizza party. It was yummy food and great chatting with friends. I was very impressed with Hillary's homemade individual pizza crusts. I used to make pizza at home....I seem to have given up cooking last year, and I don't like it maybe I can change.

Saturday morning I drove over the the Oakland Temple to meet up with Mom and Dad. They had a Family History meeting in the afternoon, so we did a session and had lunch together. It was an amazingly beautiful and clear day. We could see the city and all the way over the the Golden Gate Bridge. After the session we were all excited to take some pictures, but alas my batteries were dead. You will just have to believe me that it was amazingly beautiful and we looked pretty cute too. It was a great morning, and Mom and Dad sent me home with a cooler of food. Yeah for Daddy's BBQ chicken.

When I got home Hillary invited me to see Twilight. This was Hillary's third viewing! but she wanted to be sure that I had a chance to see this in the theater. It is great to have friends that help you get out and have fun. I have to say that I was not expecting much and I was pleasantly surprised. It was a fun movie, and it is set up well for the sequel. We got to use the free movie passes I had left over from sisters weekend (when we went to see the Secret Life of Bees - but they started to show us Tropic Thunder!). So it was a fun outing - and so cheap!!

I have managed to get the dishes done, and I might just start unpacking and putting my clothes away. Christmas is officially over. Good thing my birthday is coming up soon.

More kicking back at Fawnhill with everyone

One group ventured out to old town to see the Auburn sites. We might be a small town, but we do have a miner statute!

Another group found their way down to the Galleria for some more shopping.

We were so lucky with the weather - only one day of rain. Here is Matt hanging out at the back deck.

Tyler (Carisa) found some spectacular deals!

The hot tub is always a draw. Here is our lovely Carly.

Sam got a go-cart for Christmas. His dad had one when we was about the same age - I am not sure who was the happiest about this toy...Sam, Craig, or Grandpa.

I got to take a ride too - Sam ran along side to make sure I did it right.

I look like a pro!

The girls went to the New Year's Eve dance. They were a hit!

Kaitlyn and Sam playing cards - it was an intense game of war - Kaitlyn was triumphant in the end!

In-and-Out was as crowded as I have ever seen it! But worth the wait.

Bad weather kept most of the gang "stuck" for one more day. We took in a movie - Bedtime Stories. I was pleasantly surprised. Very cute movie. And yes, I embarrassed everyone by taking a picture in the theater!

What a wonderful trip. I finally made it home on Sunday morning. It was a whirl wind holiday - but wonderful to be together!

So much Fun to be had at Fawnhill

Once we all got back to Fawnhill we were only missing my sister Cathy's family, Scott our missionary, and my niece Megan and her little family. So only 22 this trip. As I drove the girls up on New Year's Eve I was asking them if they wanted to stop anywhere. Camille said - I just want to get there and see all the people! I love that we just want to be together - even if it means a living room full of air beds.
Happy cousins!

Cooking in the kitchen.

Hanging out on the swing.

Games, Games, Games. This year we had Snorta and Who, What, Where. Great group games. Any excuse to sit around and laugh together.
It was fun to have the newlyweds! Carisa was a good sport. And Sam and Jared - while no longer the newlyweds announced a grand baby this summer! We are so excited.

Michelle took Carly, Kaitlyn, William and Sam out for a photo shoot. Here are the best of the group.