Mexico Cruisen

The Carnival Splendor was our home for a week.

We celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary on a Mexico Cruise.
Wow, what a fun-filled packed week of spoiling ourselves it was!

Danny found it very easy to relax, and was a little burnt after the first day.

What is it about those towel-animals that make me so darn happy?

We enjoyed dinner every night with our new friends: Andy and Anita from Thailand (we have an open invitation to their home) and Eddie and Rovino from San Diego.
We love meeting people from other countries.

Our crazy Maître d' would entertain us along with the waiters every night..... they always got us up to shake it, but it doesn't take much ;)

Don't forget to step outside and enjoy a pretty sunset. This one is leaving Cabo.

Enjoying a bottle of Opolo's cab on the deck. A gift from our friend's for our anniversary.


It was extremely hot the first day in Cabo, so we stayed on the ship.
It turned out to be a great day on board with so many people at port.
The view of the arch at breakfast.

The lost arch from our cabin window.

Second day in Cabo, heading for Cabo Wabo to see if Sammy's around.

"Si Senior, they are Cuban cigars, you can trust me"

10am and we're having shots of Cabo Wabo Blanco. Smooooth.

Peurto Vallarta on Friday. Took a wild cab ride to downtown.
Ate fabulous fish tacos at Punto V.

These two were determined to help us have a good time.


The beaches in PV are so gorgeous and I look
forward to returning to see the finished results, as they are in construction.
It's obvious they do not have CA regulations :)

Is this to code?

Note the the physical transformation that happens in Puerta Vallarta..... it's out of your control.

After strolling around the hot streets of downtown PV we head towards the port and end up at a popular cantina. More food, tequila and beer..... And yes, photo ops of Americans in Mexican sombreros.Danny made the photographer pose for him.... doesn't he look thrilled?

Yes, we even have fun in the glass elevators. We were taking pics of each other, and a man offered to take it of us.... hysterical.

This man kept bringing me food and drinks, I don't know what he's up to.

Bloody's in the morning get you right.

The happy couple.

Robert Mondavi $36 on the cruise, $8.99 at Costco, Memories.... priceless.

Watching a comedy show.

Cheers to another 25.

Cool Mom

No, I'm not talking about myself. I talking about my mom..... she's a pretty cool mom. A few us girls gather at 'her place' about once a month and share a lunch on the patio. Our conversation often veers towards our issues, following the typical "how are you mom?" She always replies the same "oh, fine." Never complains or gripes, even though she's stuck in a wheelchair and needs assistance in whatever she does. We go on and on about the issues of our lives" what paint color to chose, who's having a big sale, how's work going.... and she just smiles and listens. Once in a while she spouts off some classic line from all her years of wisdom and we have a little laugh and realize that as a family we're incredibly blessed to have our elderly mother/grandmother so loved and watched over by her caregivers.

Reese, Mom & Sydney

Today Robyn, my niece, brought out her camera and she had some fun with fish eye lens.... I won't show you all of them and have paid her big butts.... oops, I mean bucks not to post them. But, truthfully I don't trust her ;)
Enjoy our mug shots.

My sister's humongous bootie.

Cheez.....My new facebook profile.

Beat the Heat, 2011

The amazing ceiling in the dining hall of the mainhouse
had all the 12 saints engraved in wood.

Many beautiful views from the hill.

A spontaneous trip to the coast was needed when the temps hit over 100*. Danielle and I had a great day trip:
our list included:

• Pick up some wine (for me)
• Eat Clam chowder by the beath (for her)
• Visit Hearst Castle (for both)

We did all 3 on our list and even had tie to roam around.

Duckies In Cayucos

posing by one of the many statues.

Mugshot..... can she ever be serious ;)

Signs of Spring

Here are a few signs of Spring I wanted to share from Danielle's campus.
Photography is one of her creative passions and she was able to capture some great views just walking around her school.

First Signs of Spring





This looks like a great tree to lay under with a book.



Enjoy your Spring Day......

Old to New Project

I manage a bookkeeping firm in our town, and when it's not tax season there's time to do projects around the office. So, this year, it was time for some fresh designs. I painted the back office, kitchen, and main office in a rich golden-yellow. We use to have alot of 'country-themed' decor, which I do not prefer, but most were client-gifts, so we respectfully displayed them.

But, it's just time for new!

There is wallpaper that is still in good condition, and it matches well. Also, the building is 100 years old, so we need keep in mind the colors of that era. I do not have a strong connection to antiques, so this was a bit of a challenge for me.

In my moving of furniture I found an old "Financial Planner" that was given to clients. It shows local business advertisement. There is no date on the docs, but the phone number indicates it's prior to the prefix digits. In other words, the first three numbers are letters, which we think, goes back to the 1950's. It was yellowed, stained and brittle from age. But, we needed to display it some how.

I went to the local antique store and found 2 old window frames, carefully cleaned and sanded them. I did a rough paint job and ordered some black matting. They are now hanging proudly in our client's waiting room. I just hope they get appreciated.

Here are the project photos:

sanded and washed....

Fast forward, to matted and hanging but it still needs something .... more color on the wall.

The chairs and table are also old, found at another antique shop in town.

Some of these business are still in operation; E & P tire, Lemoore Ready Mix....

I have it hanging over an orginal computer, dated 1970, and an old typwriter with carry case.

It's important to be comfortable in your workspace; this feels much better.