Friday's with Jim and Ginger

What could possibly be better than Christmas time in San Diego? It is really America's finest city! We began the evening with dinner on the embarcadero at Anthony's. All the ships were decorated in lights and the glow on the harbor was beautiful. Next we did a little driving to see the houses decorated and finally ended up in Balboa Park.

Balboa Park is the most amazing place. The magnificent Spanish-Renaissance style of architecture was originally created for the first World's Fair in 1915. It is always fun to just walk around, but it takes on a special feeling at Christmastime. If you only see it in the summer, you are missing the fun of bundling up in coats and enjoying both the lights and displays. Of course, a favorite is the Old Globe with 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas".

Don't you wish Christmas could last a little longer? Maybe without all the hussle and bustle but a little more time to reflect and enjoy.



Merry Christmas!

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-base paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes.

Riding in the back of a pick- up truck on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and no one actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes made with Lard, white bread, real butter and bacon. We drank FLAV- OR- AID made with real white sugar. And, we weren't overweight. WHY?

Because we were always outside playing....that's why!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And, we were OKAY.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride them down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Play stations, Nintendo's and X-boxes. There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms.

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We would get spankings with wooden spoons, switches, ping pong paddles, or just a bare hand and no one would call child services to report abuse.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them.

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever.

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. What can kids today do besides push buttons!

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.

If YOU are one of them, CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?

I love Sundays

I had a great Sunday. We went to church with Mike and Suzann and watched their Primary Program. It is always so much fun. All of the kids knew their parts and even all the words to the songs. Really fun.

Next, instead of going to our Primary Program I went to the hospital to see Mom. She is in for a 5th heart attack! She looked very frail and weak. I had to push my chair very close to her to be able to hear what she was saying. I think she is going to be OK, but she is definitely going down hill. She is 84 now. I guess that's old, but I expect to live to 115 so it still seems young to me. I don't think we will have too many more years with her now. She was very sweet. It is sad we have not had much contact in my adult years. I do not resent that since she was a very good mother to me as a child. I would have enjoyed an adult relationship, but she gave me what I needed when I needed it, so I am at peace with our relationship.

Then I went back to church in time for the last two hours. It was excellent and I was glad I was there. It was on the atonement of Jesus and gave me some new thoughts to ponder. Best of all 2 people asked if I had lost more weight. No, I am just an optical illusion!

Ended my day with a big nap and some TV watching, followed by the best candy bar ever! Perfect Day!

Hi, I'm back!

Well one of my new goals is to blog every week, even if I don't have anything to say. I feel like I have been cheated this summer. First it was such a cold summer I didn't do all the things I love to do. No beach, not enough pool time. Very sad. Then, if that wasn't bad enough I got sick while Dani and Kristi were visiting. I still enjoyed having them here, but wasn't able to go and do the things I wanted with them. It has taken quite a while to totally kick this but I am now beginning to feel more like my old self.

Jim and Mike are now backpacking in the Sierra's. It should be gorgeous this time of year, but I bet it is really cold! Should get to freezing in the night. I miss him but I am planning on getting tons done while he is gone.

Business has been steady which is a very good thing. I have set all new goals for between now and the end of the year so it is going to take putting my head down and plowing through. I am certain I can get some good things done.

Today is 9/11 and I have been watching TV with a repeat of the actual TV coverage on that day. Wow! It is still so powerful. It makes you wonder if it will ever end. Now they want to build a mosque there......don't get me started!

Just keeping cool!

I don't know why I keep forgeting to post. I love having the blog and it is kind of a way to keep a journal for me. Now you know why I don't have a journal, I write once or twice and forget to stay with it. It is finally hot here. Way too hot, actually, but I prefer it to the cold. I am spending all my time working and doing Relief Society stuff. Work has been good, I am very busy and trying to get my website updated and also put together a facebook fan page. I am trying to find someone to pay to do the fan page, I just can't get it. I know it can be done, but I am clueless. When I finish everyone has to friend me on it so I can put extra stuff on it. Hopefully the guy I found on the internet will know what he's doing.

My big RS project is cleaning out Joan's house. She is an older lady who has gone to New Jersey to live with her niece. She is also a hoarder. We are having to completely empty it. What a nightmare! But in two more weeks it should be finished.

Come on Summer!

I am so ready for it to be summer. It seems like I am always cold. I am looking forward to laying by the pool, wrinkles or not, I don't care! I am also going to go to the beach at least once a week and I am stacking up books for my summer reading program. I had so much fun when the kids were small and summer finally got here. We would always have Monday family home evening at the beach with a bon fire and dinner. Tuesdays we would go to the pool. Wednesdays we would go to the park. Thursdays we were back at the beach. Friday was for outings, Wild Animal Park, Balboa Park, Picnic, time with friends, whatever sounded good that day. It was a perfect way to spend the summer. I am going to try this year to recapture some of it. So I need to work smarter and find some spare time to enjoy all San Diego has to offer!

What no more TV?

This is always the best of times and the worst of times. This is the week of the finale of my favorite TV shows. I guess it is a good thing that I will have a few months free of TV. I am especially sad that 24 isn't going to be returning. That was my #1 favorite show. The really scary thing is I believe there really is a Jack Bauer out there and we just don't know about him. I even think there might be more than one. I am also convinced if we know all the goings on behind the government we would be scared to death since they are all crooks. I will also miss the Survivor, Amazing Race and of course American Idol. Guess I am going to have to find a new hobby. Any suggestions?

Prayer Works!

I have had an amazing few weeks. I don't know when I have been more grateful for what I have than right now. I spent lots and lots of hours with ladies from our Relief Society who have been going though some rough stuff. First my dear friend Billye has bone cancer. She went through a stem cell transplant where they killed everything in her and put new stem cells into her. It was a terrifying ordeal, but she is finally starting to improve. Next was Raquel, who has already had cancer 3 times and just discovered it is back and her intestines had to be removed. It has been a slow and very difficult recovery but she is finally begining to come out of it. Then Joan is fighting breast cancer, COPD and heart problems. She no longer can live alone and it is really difficult trying to figure out what is next. We spent several weeks in sincere prayer on the behalf of each of these wonderful women. Our entire Relief Society both fasted and prayed for them and the results are truly amazing. I never doubt that prayer will work, but I love when the results are so obvious.

These are only a few of the problems I see right now. Also numerous friends are unable to find jobs, are dealing with problem kids and so much more. I also had another funeral this week. Bottom line is, I am not as tolerant of the complainers. I recognise how lucky I am to be healthy and happy. Even though I want to pull out my hair with some of my clients, at least I have a job. And as for family, no one has more to appreciate than I do. They are the very best. It's rare to belong to a family that loves one another as much as we do. My heart is full of gratitute and I don't take it for granted.

Time is ticking on.

I didn't realize it has been so long since I posted. Don't have a lot of time now, but though I would leave a short message. I have been crazy busy at work. Not in a good way. Dealing with idiots! It is just one thing after another and I am so behind in everything because of it. I spent an entire week fighting with an agent who didn't like the way the bathroom shower tile was repaired. It was non-stop, numerous emails every day(insulting my buyer and questioning my integrity). She wanted $10,000 or the shower to be torn out and redone. That was so ridiculous. Finally I went back over to the house to see if I missed something. I looked and looked but it looked perfect to me. As I was leaving I noticed under the soap container some something that did look like a bad repair job, (the repair was at the other end of the shower), I touched it and it was soap scum. Cleaned it off in 2 minutes. Yeah, that was what they were bitching about! Soap Scum! My week was destroyed because of soap scum!!! Can you say irritated? Beyond belief! Just one thing after another. I have another bad week then it should calm down. At least something is closing. I will try to stay in touch. I really love the blogs and it is more personal than Facebook, which I haven't really mastered yet. It seems I get too much junk in it to spend a lot of time with it.

Traditions

It has been a very quiet Easter. Just Jim and I. No big dinner, no Easter basket. When did I grow up? And when did they? Tomorrow Mike and Suzann, Shelli and Rom and families will come and we will celebrate then. But what happened to the Easter of my childhood?
This is the Easter I remember: Lynda, Ginger, Mike, Vicki and Terry(at the bottom)
Our Easter celebrations always started weeks earlier when Nana began making our special Easter dresses. We would spend hours being fitted and hemmed until she had each one of our dresses perfect. Next would come all new clothes, underwear, slip, socks and shoes. Sometimes if there was enough money we would get a hat or a purse, which made it extra special.

The night before Easter we would color Easter Eggs and get a bath. Our baskets were always hidden and the first thing in the morning we would find them. We would then go to church as a family, something we rarely did. But I think that was when I first learned that I loved the Lord. I can't remember a time I didn't believe. I always knew Jesus died for me, although it was many years before I fully understood what that really means for me personally. Today it is the center of my life. The basis for all my joys.

We would then go to Nana's for an Easter feast. Both of the pictures were taken at her home. My memories of Easter is of Love. Love for my family. Love for my parents, love for my grandparents, especially Nana, love for my brother and sisters, love for the Lord. I hope I have passed this tradition on.

Day 10

This is the saddest day of all. We have to go home. The good news is it is cold and rainy. That makes it easier to leave. Even Hawaii is sad to see us go home. There is a great beauty in the rain and stormy sea. I wish I had a cozy fireplace to watch it from. We enjoyed our morning walk although the wind was fierce.


On the way to the airport we had one of our most poignant experiences of the entire trip. It was raining like crazy but we still stopped at the ancient birthing stones. This is considered a sacred place to the Hawaiians. Over 50 generations of Hawaiian royalty was born at this spot. Royal birthing practices were different from the commoners.


When the time came for a woman to give birth she would go to what then was a secret spot and in the presence of 36 male chiefs she would position herself at certain stones and in certain ways to give birth while they watched. Within minutes of the birth the child was taken away and the mother would not see her child again until it was grown. That was to ensure that the child would not be murdered, (common among rival chiefs)

The rocks were different shapes. They were very interesting and looked strangely out of place in the secluded meadow, some even had what looked like hand-holds. The rocks are all natural and not man made. The entire area had a special spirit about it. I was grateful that I did not live in a time where you had to give birth on a rock. I also couldn't imagine not seeing your child until adulthood. You could picture how the women gave birth there. It felt very real and personal.

Day 9

We leave tomorrow and want to stay. Hate the thought of leaving. I don't know if a month would be enough time. However, we were rewarded wtih a beautiful rainbow this morning. We decided to skip our walk today and go to Waimea Falls. This is a botantical garden that has a waterfall. It is huge and quite the hike. I even ended up with blisters we hiked so much. This was the perfect conclusion to our trip. I think this is where the Garden of Eden was, or it was at least the twin. Everywhere you looked, you marveled at the beauty. It is a valley with so much foilage and flowers you had to stop every few feet and look.


We went to lunch at our favorite place Haleiwa Joes for lunch. I had a crab and avocado salad that was out of this world. We stopped by the soap factory for some soap and body oil. It is famous for the outstanding soaps.

We watched the wind surfers, regular surfers and big waves before heading back to the hotel.
I tried to read, but fell asleep before I knew it. It was a short nap and we went to watch the sunset before going to dinner

For dinner we went to 21 and I ordered Moi. I love Moi, but when my dinner arrived there was a dead fish on my plate! Head, tail, fins the whole thing. Eyeballs and all. It was kind of curved around and it was disgusting. I tried to eat it, but it wouldn't fall off the bones so each bite was full of bones. It tasted horrible. Of course, Jim let them know and it was taken off the bill, but my appetite was completely destroyed!

Day 8

We began our day once again with a long walk. The winds were furious and it was drizzling but we walked about 4 miles until we found the perfect little beach. It is sandy, protected and very secluded. I think it might be fun to go back in the summer to snorkel. It was just gorgeous. They are making a film, called, "Soul Surfer" staring Dennis Quad, Helen Hunt and Carrie Underwood. They had the set up and were shooting mostly the unknowns but it was fun to see the sets and all the crew in action. It is a movie about the girl that had her arm bit off by a shark but still surfs. Think I will go see it when it comes out.

When then decided it was the perfect day to go to Waikiki. We found the most amazing road that took us high up into the mountain and had views of the city. Even with the cloud cover and drizzle it was beautiful.

There were hiking trails all over and it was like a wonderful, beautiful jungle. It was as pretty as any area in Hawaii and just minutes from Waikiki.

We ended up at Punchbowl National Cemetery. As we walked around the monuments it was a very solemn experience. There were the names of 28,000 that were killed in World War II and Korea whose bodies were never recovered. It was a very patriotic feeling to recognize the sacrifice of so many. I was glad we stopped, it not something you often experience.



We went back to the hotel and it was sunny and bright. We were on the beach by 12:30 and stayed until 4:00. It was great. We almost got too much sun. Virgin Pina Coladas, reading, snorkeling, swimming, and of course a nap as well. Jim swam with a turtle so the trip was complete for him. We went to Haleiwa Joes for dinner again. It is so good.

Day 7

Today was the aftermath of the storm. Windy and rainy all day. We started the day with a 4+ mile walk. We walked along the coast, through beautiful wooded forests and past a horse farm. It was raining and we had a 30 to 40 mile wind to deal with. Before we left 30-40 mile wind doesn't sound like much, but when you are in it, that is a different thing altogether. Made for a bad hair day.
Halfway though our walk we found an old World War II bunker. Really cool.

Since we were soaked and cold by the time we got back we tried to remember what people who don't like the beach do for fun. So we spent most of the rest of the day in the town of Haleiwa, walking through cute stores and mostly looking. We went to Killer Tacos for lunch, very good with tacos made from Kalua Pork. On the way back we stopped to watch the wind surfers. That was really amazing. They must have been going a hundred miles and hour. It was the perfect day for wind surfing. We finished the day reading and taking it easy. Finished my book. It was OK but nothing to write home about.

Day 6

This is the day that started out like a lion and ended like a lamb. We found a paper under our doors when we woke up telling us about the Tsunami warning. We turned on TV and heard about the earthquake and the severe warning for Hawaii. The people were scared and taking no chances. We were told it was several hours away so we decided to go to the beach and see what was up. We spent some time sitting on the rocks and walking along the coast. It was a little rough but really beautiful.

After a while the police came in 4 wheel drive and had a loudspeaker ordering everyone to get off the beach and return to their hotels. We slowly worked our way back to the hotel. Most of the staff did not come in to work so they offered everyone a half price breakfast buffet which was nice. After that everyone was told to go to the 4th, 5th or 6th floor and stay in the hallway or lobby area. They brought in water, blankets, pillows and glow sticks. Since we were staying on the 5th floor we just stayed in our room, where we could see what was going on.

Of course, I didn't want any damage, but I was hoping for a little bit of a show. All the tsunami did was cause a really low tide, followed quickly by a moderate high tide. That was it. No big deal. However the roads were still closed and the officials were afraid there could be another surge. So we had to wait several more hours for the roads to open.

When we were finally able, we took a drive around the windward side of the island. It was beautiful, very tropical and green. Nothing was open, no gas stations, no 7-11, no grocery stores. Hardly any cars on the road. Everyone took the day off. We returned to the hotel for dinner and an evening of walking around the hotel grounds before calling it a night. Could have been a lot more exciting. But few people can say they witnessed a tsunami first hand!

Day 5

Whoo Hoo!!! Today was the day! We took our first flying lesson in an ultra light glider. It was beyond description. We absolutely loved, loved, loved it! It was a little scary at first. We had to sign papers saying no matter what happened, no matter whose fault it is, you can not sue them. It also said it can result in death. Makes you stop and think, "Am I crazy?" Also it is a little scary taking off, bumpy and very fast. But we quickly became comfortable with the entire process and even began flying ourselves.

The view was of course, spectacular. We went over the mountains, up to 8,000 feet and then swooped down to the ocean. It was very cold above the clouds, but fun. We even created a rainbow in the clouds with our shadow in the middle of it. My favorite thing to do. We saw waterfalls, whales and the set of Lost. it was wonderful flying like a bird. I would love to do it again. I am the one in the pictures with my legs dangling, and Jim is usually doing the flying on his slideshow. You can see when we flew side by side.
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After our flight we went to a soap factory the pilot told me about. Homemade soaps using Hawaiian oils and fragrances. I bought both soaps and oils. Really great stuff. Then we went to eat Haleiwa Joes( also recommended by Denise), a wonderful restaurant on the harbor with the best coconut shrimp. It was very reasonable and everything on the menu looked great. We will go back again before we leave.

The afternoon was spent on the beach where we laid out, swam and snorkled. We saw lots of fish, but the weren't very big. A good variety though.

For dinner we decided for another romantic dinner at Ola's on the beach. They had a musical group singing that were great. The music, the tropical breeze and the food were the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Day 4

Another gorgeous day in paradise. No walk today, we are going whale watching. We get up early and travel about a half hour to Haleiwa to get on a catamaran to head out for a whale watching trip. It is skippered by two young guys in holey T-Shirts and hair that doesn’t look like it has been combed in days. They love what they do. It is worth it just for the catamaran ride.

We have great luck with sighting whales. We come across about 3 pods and see many more in the distance. Our favorite was a mother, baby and escort who were very curious about us. We turned the engine off and just floated. They came closer and closer, less than 75 feet away. The entertained us for quite a while with tail wags and flipper waves. We could see them very easily. It was a great trip.


On the way home we stopped for lunch at a shrimp shack. It was called Romy’s. It was really good. We ordered the sweet and spicy. It came with shrimp and rice. The shrimp farm was right beside the shack. You had to peel them yourself and with the sauce it was messy, but worth the effort.

I was a little queasy before the whale trip so I took a Dramamine, big mistake since I never get sea sick. All it did was make me extremely tired after the trip was over. This made the afternoon nap time. I totally crashed. It did feel good.

To tired or too lazy to get dressed so we had room service tonight.

Day 3

Wow! I really love sunrises! Who knew! Started with a gigantic walk with Jim. We started along the beach, went up through a forested area with windows opening to the ocean and then the golf course. About 5 miles altogether. I didn't know I could walk so long. It is so pretty at this time of day. Quiet and peaceful. We don't see hardly any other people, it is like we are here by ourselves.

After the walk we are starving so sweaty and all we go to the Palm Terrace for breakfast. This is a restaurant on the terrace overlooking the pool and beach. I had french toast with macadamia nut butter. So delicious. I need to do this again.

We were back at the beach by 10:00 and will spend most of the day here. Snorkeling, swimming, reading, sleeping and trying not to get sunburned. If I was a millionaire this is how I would spend my entire life. I don't think it would ever get boring.

I had to leave at 2:30 because I have a spa appointment. Yeah! I am having a massage. One of my favorite things. 2 hours of pure bliss. The massage was wonderful, I think I was in a trance. So completely relaxed. I followed it with the steam room and left fully relaxed, softened and rejuvenated. Why don't I do this more often?

For dinner we went to the fancy restaurant 21 degrees. It was so good. I had fish, Jim had lamb. Again, it was out of this world. Really an elegant top notch setting with impeccable service and amazing food. Couldn't have enjoyed it more.

Went to bed with the doors open listening to the sounds of the surf.

Day 2

I love, love, love waking up to the sound of the ocean. I lift my head and the sun is just rising and I can see waves from the bed. Heavenly! First thing of the day is a long walk, along the beach. The sun is barely up, I don't think I have ever walked at this time of day. It was beautiful. I walked for over an hour. Jim went east and I went west. My walk was both along the water, by the golf course and exploring the property. Fun but worked up a hunger.

When we got back we decided we need to go on a fresh fruit run so we drove a few miles to a little stand and returned with fresh apple bananas, papaya and some weird fruit that I have no idea what it is. Also stopped at the market for water and juice. The hotel charges $3.50 for a small bottle of water, not going to pay that! On the way back we stopped at Pipeline for a while. There was a body boarding contest going on, really a big deal, some big championship tournament with the top body boarding surfers in the world competing. Kind of our version of the Olympics. Fun to watch.

After we got home (yes it is feeling like home) we changed and went to the beach. Since we start at 6:30, it is still only 10:30. We found our spot under an umbrella and this is where we will spend the day. For Jim snorkeling and swimming, for me reading and getting my feet wet. I will snorkel but not today. I love my new Kindle and love reading. It is slow reading because I keep stopping to look at the scenery. I just want to take it all in and remember it.

Once again we watched the sunset, waiting for the green flash but no green flash today. Sometimes if it is really clear in Hawaii right before the sun sets at the last minute there will be a green flash before the sun completely disappears. Not clear enough today, still a few clouds.

While waiting for the sunset we watched some surfers being towed by a jet ski out to the huge waves. There were two of them with the jet skis and it really made a difference in the rides they caught. The waves were enormous and the rides like something you would see in a movie. It was just awesome. I loved watching them in the tube. I wish I could still surf. I should never have stopped. It is sad to think of the things I could have kept doing if I would have tried a little harder. I was just so busy with babies many things took a back seat and now my balance is so bad I can hardly walk on rocks. We staying until dark, loving every minute of it.

Decided to do room service tonight and go to bed early.

Day 1

Woke up at the crack of dawn, but not to worry I packed last night and just need to shower and get dressed. Mike will be here at 7:00 to take us to the airport. I think I have everything. Can't wait to get on that plane to Hawaii. We will be staying at Turtle Bay on the North Shore, think I will like it.

Oh my, I nearly froze on the plane. Here we are heading to the tropics and it must have been 40 degrees in that plane. I had 3 of their wimpy blankets, long sleeve shirt and a sweater and was still cold! It was fantastic getting off. Warm breezes at last.

After getting the car we headed out to the North Shore and stopped by the Dole Pineapple Plantation, really just a big tourist trap, but time for a pineapple smoothie and some coconut-mac cookies. You could spend a fortune in this place, everything you can imagine from food that has pineapple somewhere in it to every trinket that could be possibly identified as Hawaiian (many made in China) is here. You also have to fight the bus loads of people from the tours, but we kind of like it.

We took our time and stopped at some of the beaches to enjoy the big surf. It was so beautiful. I feel the stress falling away.
We checked in and love it here. It is just magnicificant!

We spent the afternoon walking around, sitting on the edge of water and watching the sunset. So beautiful. I really think Hawaiian sunsets are the very best.

For Dinner we walked to a restaurant on the sand, open walls so nothing is between you and the ocean called Ola. The food was absolutely fantastic. Both of us almost licked our plates clean. We will go back there again!

I had a great Valentine Day!

One of my best Valentine Days ever! No candy, no flowers, not card, but...... Jim got me a Kindle! This is the most amazing gift ever! I am really excited and have already downloaded several books. I actually found 489,000 free books on Amazon, so now I have to be selective and pick just the right ones.

I am going to go to the bookstore and decide which titles are going to be on my top 20 list. I also love the selection at the airport. For some reason they always have the best books there. I like fast paced books so I should be able to get quite a few read while we are on vacation.

Fridays with Jim and Ginger

We had so much fun at the beach we decided to do it again. Friday was both the highest tide and also the lowest tide. The high tide was not as impressive as the other week because we didn't have any storms, so the waves were not as big as before. Still fun but not as good. However, the low tide was amazing. It was a minus 1.8 tide and it seemed like it went on forever.

We started at Sunset Cliffs and went from there to La Jolla. We walked out on the ramp by the children's cove, which is now taken over by the seals. It was fantastic with the waves crashing on the wall behind us and the seals in front of us. We stayed for quite a while and then worked our way up the coast to Carlsbad.

We took a break for brunch. We found a cafe that had great reviews, but our opinion was it was just OK, nothing special. Still after our diets, it tasted wonderful. We took our time and then it was almost low tide so we had to leave since we really came for the low tide.

Our next stop was Carlsbad where we took a long 2 mile walk along the beach. We stayed just out of the water, which required careful attention to the waves. I don't know when the beach was more beautiful. It just went on forever. After our walk in the sand, we were exhaused (at least I was) so we went to Noah's Ark and set up our chairs and took a little nap. Thought I might read, but the book was boring and I couldn't keep my eyes open.

We spent the entire day at the beach. Really a perfect day.

52 Blessings - Week 4

This week I am grateful for the rain. What a treat we have this week. It has rained almost non-stop. I love it when I crank up the heater to 80 degrees, turn on the fireplace and find a good book. Pure heaven! I love the smell after a rain, the fact all my plants are properly watered and even the sound of it hitting the skylights. I don't think there is a more beautiful sight than the earth after a rain. We went up to one of our favorite places, Twin Peaks Park, where the view is just spectacular, panoramic and 360 degree. It was so crystal clear, no smog. We could see forever.

52 Blessings - Week 3

This week I am grateful for my country. After the horrible earthquake in Hati I realize how fortunate we are to live in the United States. I so often complain about all the red tape we have to go through to get builing permits, how nasty the city is when a violation is discoved, and how much time is wasted on these things. But, without it you have crumbling cities and since we are in the heart of earthquake territory, it is reasuring to know our houses probably will still be standing in case we are hit. This has also renewed my committment to have an adequate supply of food and water and basic first aid on hand.

I am also grateful for the goodness of the American people. Whenever there is a need hearts are softened and as a nation we are willing and eager to help others. As I watch the horrible pictures I can't help but say a prayer of gratitude that my children and grandchildren are safe and sound. We are truly living in a county that has been blessed by God.