Valentine's Night

Earlier on Valentine's Day, everyone left our house, we again became emptynesters!  After days maybe months of planning, my husband took me to this most beautiful, romantic place.  It was so cozy and warm with a roaring fire, lit candles, bottle of wine,  romantic music and no kids! (not that I don't like kids, but...) Well, if you look closely, this place looks really familiar.  Look close!  Yea, that's our family room!  Actually, it turned out to be one of the best Valentines.  I ordered food from Mill Creek, Tom went to picked it up and when he came home the family room was turned into a romantic retreat!!  The food was delicious!  I highly recommend ordering out and eating in!  After dinner we watched the movie "Fireproof", and reminisced on our marriage, kids, parents, people, religion, politics...well, maybe not!

Milestone!!

If you knew my mom, you would know why this is pretty hilarious!  I don't think my mom has ever touched a computer in her life.  I was checking my email and my mom's sister sent an e-card for my mom's birthday.  When I showed it to her, she was amazed!  Then it asked if you want to reply and you could type in a note of thanks.  So I showed her how to do that and I had to take a picture of this!  Way to go MOM!

My Parent's Visit

My parents drove out here from Minnesota.  They were here about 10 days.  We didn't do much, but did go the California Adventure on my mom's 70th birthday.  We found out that you can get in for free on your birthday, so being Dutch, we took advantage of it. Tom & I have a season pass so we just had to pay for my dad's ticket.  It was a great day.  They rain stopped, and the sun came out and it turned out to be quite pleasant.  

Being the famous photographer that I am, these are the only two pictures I took at Disneyland!

After Disneyland, we went out to dinner with the kids at Momma D's in Newport Beach.  Bob & Sheila joined us after being stuck in traffic for 2 hours!  I felt so bad for them, but so glad they made it.  It was a great place to eat.

My mom still had her birthday button from Disney, so every body at Momma D's made a big deal about her birthday, giving her a card signed by the whole crew, ice cream and cookies with a candle and singing happy birthday! They really made her feel special.  Like I said, it was a great place!  I definitely would go there again...hum...maybe for MY birthday!

Sheila, Mom, Roxy and me.  

Thanks Dad & Mom for coming out!  I had a great time, hope you did too.  I love you!

Roses in January

A few weeks ago (before we had all this rain)  I noticed some blooms on my climbing rose bush.  I didn't prune these like I did my other rose bushes, because I really don't know how or where to begin.  It has taken over my arbor, but I love these roses.   I got out my little Canon camera and pretended to be this photographer!  (That is something I envy on all those other blogs showing off their photographing skills!)  Maybe someday I will get a nice camera and take some photography class and post my work!!!  But in the mean time...this is the best I can offer!

This is with the flash:

This is without the flash:

You decide...

And now the close up!

I Know, I know, it's about time for another blog!

Well, it's not that I haven't been doing anything, I just don't know where to begin! Since the middle of January, I've been gone 18 out of 25 days and have stayed in a total of 6 hotels! As soon as the kids went back to school, I followed Tom wherever his company sent him. They weren't some exotic places, but it was all good! The first week we went to Long Beach. It was an exceptionally beautiful and warm week so it was pretty tough going shopping, hanging out at the beach or the pool area. We did meet the kids at their school and took them out to dinner. They never pass that deal up!

The next week we headed to Palm Springs. Again, it was pretty rough...all that shopping, especially good deals(see my prior post!) and relaxing!

The following weekend we headed to the Marriott in Anaheim for a banquet that Edison put on. It was a recognition dinner for employees who have been in the company for 15, 20, 25 + years. We went last year because Tom celebrated his 25th year. This year he was honored with a Horton Humanitarian Award which is an award for employees who demonstrate remarkable initiative on behalf of others. In other words, he helped save a mother and son who were trapped in their vehicle because a tree fell on them. Just another day in a life of a Troubleman! We got to sit at an honorary table and got free drinks!! It was an amazing event! The company put us up in the hotel that night and the next day we headed to Costa Mesa and visited the kids!!!

It was another beautiful day and went to Cheesecake Factory for lunch and made a pit stop

at Sprinkles!

The following week, we journeyed up north to Visalia. It was about a 3 and 1/2 hour drive. Again, it was time for me to explore Visalia. It's definitely different but quaint. The hotel was walking distance from Old Downtown Visalia, which had alot of restaurants and cute shops. There also was a movie theater, so one day I went to a movie and saw Grand Torino. It was me and 4 other people in the theater! (Oh! - I thought the movie was good!)

We also had a chance to visit my cousin's daughter, who moved there from Minnesota. We took Jessica and her roommate, Bekah, out to Olive Garden - We had a great time!

San Diego!!!!

Our finale destination was in San Diego. Tom was sent by his company to a convention that was held in San Diego. Again, it couldn't have been more perfect weather! We stayed at the Marriott right on the bay, next to the convention center. We were on the 16th floor, bay view with a balcony. We toured the Midway Aircraft Carrier, which is amazing. It's a must see tour!!

I did alot of walking around the Seaport Village area and the Gaslamp District. I didn't even get in my car and "go" anywhere. It was all too nice to leave!

Tom and I always talked about me going along with him if he ever got sent out of town. I just didn't think it was all going to happen in a period of three weeks!! It was great being able to spend time with myself and Tom - but I'm glad to be home - for awhile!

Life as an emptynester...