Best Strawberry Shortcake EVER!

Several of us rode our motorcycles out to Ojai to a place called Buccoli's. The day was a little overcast, but not cold - it was comfortable enough to ride without chaps. Buccoli's has the best strawberry shortcake this side of the Mississippi! Well, the best of anywhere around here. They make a sweet biscuit, top it with loads of fresh strawberries, and then pile homemade whipped cream on top. If you eat lunch there - they have really good pizza and bruchetta - you might not have room for the strawberry shortcake. Glenn and I usually order just the shortcake.
This is Jim and Glenn. Tyler gave Glenn these face masks - one looks like Hulk Hogan and the other like Mr. T - Glenn loves them!
We had a great ride today. Met 2 other couples who love to ride. One of the couples did the ride from Ontario, CA to Washington, DC for the Ride to the Wall (the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall). He's a Vietnam Vet. They said it was a 10 day trip across the US and worth every day.

Double Happy Week-end

This past week-end was double happy for Glenn and I. Friday the 13th (no superstitions here) was our 27th wedding anniversary (whew - can you believe it?!?) and then Valentines Day on the 14th. Here's the story behind us getting married the day before Valentines Day:
We were going to get married in Savannah, GA by the justice of the peace at the courthouse. My grandmother, Mom-mom, and my mom were not thrilled about that. They wanted family to be present at our wedding. So, we said we would drive up to mama and daddy's house outside Macon, GA in 2 weeks and get married at their house. I don't think it crossed either of our minds that 2 weeks on Saturday was the day before Valentine's Day.
My Uncle Lamar (Daddy's brother) is a preacher and he presided over the wedding. Donna was my matron of honor; Duane was going to be Glenn's best man, but he got lost driving up from FL where he was stationed at the Navy base. Rick, Donna's husband, stepped in and was best man. There was about 35 people at the house looking on as we exchanged vows. It was a beautiful day even though it was February in Georgia. Sun was shining and it was not very cold.
It seems like such a long time ago, yet at the same time, I feel like time has flown by so quickly.
The wedding was perfect for Glenn and I. I appreciate my mom and mom-mom putting the wedding together for us and all the cooking and baking they did. Glenn and I really left all the details to them. I bought my wedding dress the night before the wedding at a store called Lerner's at the Macon Mall (I think it cost all of $20!).
Back to the present - Friday night for our anniversary, Glenn and I went to Eric Erricsons at the Ventura Pier for dinner. Good grubs!
Valentine's Day, we hopped on the Harley's and rode down to Third Street in Santa Monica. The sun was out, but we still wore our chaps. Believe it or not, it was a little warmer down by the beach than in Thousand Oaks. We stayed out about 6 hours and had a great day.

Santa Monica, Third Street













Happy Valentines Day
from Third Street in
Santa Monica, CA

Baby, It's HOT Out Here!

Wow! Can you believe it - we were at the beach this past week-end with 87 degree weather. We camped at Emma Woods State Beach with friends Jim and Danielle. Kelly drove up and joined us on Saturday evening and spent the night. The weather was perfect - sun shining with a gentle breeze. There were dolphins playing in the water all day, both days. I've never seen that before. Must have been a lot of food in that area. There were babies jumping out of the water and playing. It was so cool! Nothing like good friends, good weather, just sitting on our butts not doing anything but relaxing!


Glenn taking it easy with Sophie - no we didn't get a new dog. Sophie is our friends dog. Ben and Maggie would be so jealous!















Kelly and Booger soaking up the sun.















Jim and Danielle











Perfect sunset to end a perfect day!

49 and HOLDING!

That says it all - 49 and holding. I'm in the last year of my 40's. I'm feeling a little weird about it - and I think it's because I'll be a half century old next year! Yikes . . . I have a wonderful husband, 2 great kids, and been blessed with a terrific life so far -- and I don't want it to go downhill from here on out!!

There are some things about being in your 40's that kind of suck:
1. Your body slowly starts to fall apart and break down when you hit 40 - at least for those who aren't exercising on a regular basis - or any other basis.
2. You don't get the stares from the "younger" guys any longer, and if you do, you get labeled a "couger." Terrible word.
3. You start getting emails about AARP membership.
4. You really start to think that you should have started that IRA or 401k sooner.
5. Hot flashes really suck!
6. You go to bed when your kids are heading out the door to go out for the night.
7. You have to wear those reading glasses a lot longer - and they don't even help much when the room is poorly lit.

Seriously, I'm trying to be positive about the whole thing - I'm just thinking when I hit 50 next year, they'll be saying that it's the new 30!

I really did have a great birthday week-end celebration. Chuck and Jen (my bosses) took me and Glenn to dinner Friday night to Maggiano's. First time we've been there and it was really good. Jen's mom and dad went also.

Saturday, Glenn made breakfast for everyone and then we went to Santa Anita to the horse races. I won 3 out of 9 races. None of my long shots won, but it was a lot of fun. Michele won a race and Tyler won a race. We ate at Jerry's Famous Deli in Studio City afterwards.








And they're off!















I won the last race - lucky horse number 13!













Sunday, we went for a ride on the Harley's with our friends Jim and Danielle. Rode to Santa Barbara and ate at the pier. It was a beautiful day - the wind had moved all the clouds, fog, and smog out of the area and the islands were so clear.

Navy Guy

This is Chris Adams. He's in the Navy and has served a little over 3 years. He is currently stationed in Hawaii (how horrible - lol). He is one of the crew on surveillance planes. Chris just returned from serving in Iraq for 6 months. We didn't get to talk too much about his experience there except that when it was hot, it was REALLY HOT.

Michele and Tyler grew up with Chris and they are best friends. We lived across the street from the Adams family for 15 years on Camino Del Zuro. I feel like he's our other son!

Chris is holding his nephew, Collin, in this photo. He is saying good-bye and Collin didn't want to let go.

Chris was home for the holidays - he went to Las Vegas with Michele, Tyler and other friends. He just flew back home this past Sunday.

We're glad you are home safe and sound, Chris! Thanks for serving - you are a hero.


Chris and Michele.

Mechanics in the Family

She gets her hands dirty! Michele learned how to replace her brakes last Sunday. Glenn is a do-it-yourself kind of guy; so he thought he would show Michele how to work on her car. Her brake light kept coming on when she was driving, even though her parking brake was off, so they knew something was up. She and Glenn went to Pep Boys and bought all the parts. Glenn did the right side and Michele did the left side. Glenn was impressed that she stayed the whole time with him and didn't make excuses to go inside the house! And it was kind of cold and windy that day. Yeah Michele!!


After Michele's brakes were done, Glenn and Tyler decided to change the oil in Tyler's truck. I feel like we have a mechanics garage at our house!

A new year and a new learning experience.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and wish you a happy, healthy 2009. Our Christmas was great - we had dinner at our house with Aunt Melody, Uncle Jerry, cousins Kevin and Ethan. We played Mexican Train after dinner - the boys won all the games - Melody and I didn't win one game! We all went to Kim and Ron's for dessert around 6:00pm. Ron's mom, dad, brother Ray, and his wife Tracy, and the twins - Jordan and Adena - were at their house for Christmas. Aiden had a fun Christmas and Ashton just rolled with the program! I unfortunately don't have any photos from their house.

Michele and Tyler went to Las Vegas with their friends for New Years. Glenn and I stayed home - Glenn was on call at work and he didn't really feel very good - that cold and cough has a hold of him. We watched Tropic Thunder - we liked it! We also sat in the spa for a while and drank some champagne to ring in the new year. We actually stayed awake until midnight!

I have to make my new years resolutions - haven't quite wanted to think about it too much. Most of them are the same as last year - scrapbook more, clean my house more, lose weight, and generally be a better person! I need to add some resolutions that I might be able to keep!

Glenn and I celebrating in the spa. We pretended we were in Hawaii!