~ It's the Little Things ~

This year at Disneyland I couldn't find a souvenir I wanted. Usually I get a new coffee cup or a hoodie...nothing I was seeing was talking to me. I did find a mug that said Pirate Princess that was cute...that was an "option" if needed.
The only thing I did buy was flip flops from the Roxy store in Downtown Disney since Gemma had eaten all my other ones. They are PUT UP for Hawaii. Hidden in the deep dark corners of my closet so she can't destroy them...now I will probably forget where they are or that I even bought them come April. LoL
Anyway, then I saw it....the perfect mug.
It has Mickey and Minnie and says "Once Upon a Time" but what made me pick it up was the color....now granted some may say - okay, it's pink? But this pink is the same shade of pink as the tiles in my Grampa and Gramma's bathroom when I was little. They managed a motel in Portland and had an apartment in it. I used to sit on the counter and do toiletry commercials in the mirror for hours. LoL
And it was completely done in this 50's shade of pink tiles.

I hadn't thought of that apartment in years...it's funny what will make you remember. Now, I think of them every time I use it. And isn't that what souvenirs should do? They should take you to a place or a moment in time and make you smile. 
I had to share. I love this mug. It's really the little things.

Now, hopefully my mom won't call me and say "honey they didn't have a pink bathroom" and I dreamed it all....LoL Don't pop my bubble Mom! Let me live in my happy pink dream world. LoL
But then I would laugh every time I used my cup, so it would still be a great moment.

~ She's Blue ~

Here's a quick pic of the new car. John went blue, surprise surprise. I wanted the black one (no surprise there either) LoL
He must've called me from the dealership 5 times while he was working the deal....I told him "that's why you shouldn't do these things by yourself"
But he got the deal he needed, at least we hadn't put a new windshield and tires on the Forte yet!
He has wanted this car for 2 years...And Hailey loves it!
I am still a little confused by it, no key - push button start and buttons on the door handles - I will get it figured out though.

This isn't the best photo but after we finished up at the dealership (2 hours later) we went to Europa Bistro so it was dark and foggy. I told John since he didn't get the black one he was taking me to dinner. LoL It was a late Tuesday night but we had a great time.

~ Maiden Voyage ~

Our first outing in the new travel trailer was a success! We had beautiful weather and yummy clams.
Jason and Mindy arrived a couple hours before we did and so when we pulled in the boys took no time and got us all settled in.
However, I believe they might have had an alterior motive for their quick set up.....the Hawks were on. And yes, we have cable at that campground.

I stared dinner, which consisted of pretty much appetizers for our first night, easy and quick. Then I hear, "hey Jason grab that corner of the couch" - what? now you're moving furniture in my new trailer? Sure enough, a better view of the TV. I had no idea the couch even moved.

 Gemma's first time on the beach was a huge success. She ran and ran - this picture was taken about an hour afterwards. She is OUT! She did good camping, she stayed close with no leash, she came when we called her. There was a little boy next door that all he wanted to do was play with her. He would wait outside (barefoot) for her to come out. It was pretty cute. She did however get car sick right before we got to the campground. There is a windy road we now call Gemma's corner. LoL

 

 
 
 I love this picture...we are cleaning our clams and everyone was so happy and excited. John is always leary of the cleaning process, he hates the mess. But we did great, we kept it as simple as possible and everything was done and cleaned up within an hour. But, this time we only took the clams we would eat, everyone is allowed 15 each and I think our total catch was about 25.  We fried some up the next day. The weather was sunny and 65 everyday, we couldn't have asked for better.

Here's John and his little girls all napping on his new couch. It doesn't appear to be as long as our last one, but the managed to make it work. And both girls will sit on the back of the couch and look out the window. They will also sit on the bottom bunk in Hailey's room and watch out the window.

Can't wait til Thanksgiving when we get to use it again!

~ Fresh Start ~

Today was my first Friday off! I am exhausted, I need to pace myself. LoL
Up at 6:30 - took Hailey to school ~ Cleaned the whole house, washed every tv blanket (2 loads) and towels/rugs ~ Off to the gym for an hour ~ Took Autumn and Lindsey Starbucks ~ Costco (spent WAY too much $$)~ Fred Meyer ~ Mowed all the lawns ~ Put away produce delivery ~ Showered.
And here I sit. Exhausted and my legs are killing me from running sprints at the gym...which is GOOD! :)
So on the way down to Disneyland as John watched movies and Hailey did homework I had a life changing moment.
I am on a "Life Cleanse" - Mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically. It's all for me...and it is helping not only benefit myself but those in my life.
It probably sounds silly to others, but it's working for me. I'm extremely happy and am making more time for spiritual things and taking time for myself. And as Johnny always says "Happy Wife, Happy Life" LoL
I have had no gluten or processed foods in a week and a half and I can't go back. Disneyland I did pretty good but chicken strips sent me over the edge.  Ever since then, I have decided there are just some things I can't have. Not even a little. One day on vacation  I said "I don't think I can eat just anything anymore" and John said "So you don't" - Easy pleasy, until the cupcakes call your name in the middle of the night. But in reality, if I had a peanut allergy, would I have "just a bit" of a peanut butter cookie? No, so it's no different. It just takes planning and thought.
And thank goodness Betty Crocker has a gluten free line!
Anyway, here we go...Another year older in September and mentally clear in October.
Here's to a better today, greater tomorrow and solid hope for the future.
If we clinked, this is where we would clink, but we don't so we won't. :-)

~ Husky Game ~

A huge thank you to PSF for our Husky tickets last weekend...we took Jason and Mindy. John and Jason had all-access passes to the building. And Mindy actually asked how the heat was in the press area...LoL
As the boys were "exploring" the stadium, Mindy and I got a beverage and were sitting in the inside area when 2 older ladies sat across from us. (Picture 4 cozy chairs with a coffee table between) Instantly they were adorable. I immediately think "oh my goodness it's us in 30 years"  One lady hands another a card and she reads it....they both laugh hysterically. They turn to me (Mindy is gone for this moment) and say they have been friends for 30 years and hand me the card...it is adorable. (It was apparently Sophie's birthday)
They ask us to watch their stuff as they go get some food...picture, one of them is drinking a vodka and cran and one is drinking a beer. They come back and put a plate of fries on the table "Have some French fries girls"  Mindy and future Mindy both eat one...and wrinkle their faces. The lady picks them up and takes them back for hot ones...I am laughing because that is soooo something Mimi would do, but I would eat them. LoL But she wouldn't let a friend eat cold fries.
The one I pictured as my future self had a huge rock on her finger, okay that's fine. But then she pulls out bright red lipstick - I turn to Mindy...that's so you! LoL
Anyway, it was a moment that I will remember. It made me appreciate Mindy and all my girlfriends for that matter. I appreciate her courage to try new things and her ability to keep me comfortable in times when my comfort zone is challenged.
For example - We are taking a sea plane next Fall to Dry Tortuga Island (off Key West)  Jason and I have dreamed of snorkeling there. I was willing to waste 6 hours on a ferry for the day...they will not hear of it. I have to take the plane. Scared to death and beyond my comfort... Tune in next Nov for that adventure! LoL