They Will Be Missed

Spending the weekend with my parents makes me feel like a kid again. Being an adult with all of the work and responsibilities that go along with it kind of sucks sometimes.  When I spending the night in the home I grew up in I am their child again.  My dad is loud and annoying.  My mom is running around getting things done and planning our next meal.  They mean business when it comes to food.  Dad insists on cooking breakfast every morning and there are always snacks and sweets in the pantry.  Just being in that house makes me want to eat and by the time I leave I usually feel like a stuffed pig.

This last weekend was extra special.  Not only did my adorable nephew DJ hit the big 3 but it was also our last weekend with them.  My big sis flew back to N. Carolina on Monday where they will live for the next three years.  It's been wonderful having her nearby.  I've been able to get to know my nephew and watch him grow.  My sister has lived in Riverside and La Quinta for the last three years which is kind of far.  My  parents only live about 45 minutes away though.  My sister was there about every two weeks so my parents could get their DJ fix.  It was the perfect place for us to all get together.

I have to think of their time here as a gift so that I don't feel cheated now that they are gone.  And it really was a gift.  When she moved to North Carolina 7 years ago it seemed too good to be true that the military would bring her back to California.  I couldn't believe it.  She moved back just in time for my wedding in July 2010.  DJ was still in her belly.

I soaked up our time together.  My family can be crazy but I love them.  My dad yelled at the people who came to pick up my sister's car.  We went shopping and both spent money we shouldn't have.  My dad went out and brought home Chinese food for dinner.  We watched a movie.  My dad didn't like it so he snuck off to his room.  My mom and I stayed up late watching TV while my exhausted sister took her baby to bed.  I got to give my sweet nephew lots of kisses.  He is the cutest thing ever.  The only thing missing was little sister who lives in San Francisco.

DJ's birthday was on Sunday.  It was a totally un pinterest worthy non party family gathering but I assure you the kid didn't care one way or the other. He was just happy to be playing with the balloons. He cried the minute we started to sing Happy Birthday and didn't stop until we finished.  He did the same thing last year.  He didn't like his hat either.  He only ate the frosting off of his cake and my dad refused to eat the frosting at all.  My mom ate two pieces.  I only had one but made up for it with all the snacking on Chex Mix and Tortilla Chips.  The weather was perfect so we drank our wine in the backyard on the patio.  After having biscuits for breakfast and too many snacks the only one still hungry for dinner was mom.  Of course.  My sister hated every second but she got up and made the sloppy Joe's and steak fries like she said she would and then my mom happily ate that too.  DJ isn't really into eating all that much so he was fine with Milk in his sippy cup and the Vanilla Wafers my dad constantly puts into his little hands.

I stayed as long as I could on Sunday night.  I can't be a kid forever.  Duty calls and eventually it was time to go home.  I didn't see my sister every day that she was here but I got to see her a lot.  It was nice to know that she was close and that I could.  My nephew doesn't understand what's going on.  He doesn't know how much we will all miss that sweet little face.  I will miss them both.  Why do people you love have to move away?  My parents are already planning their visit for January.  I guess I better start thinking about planning mine too.

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I was really excited to find out that my blog post about popularity and blogging is featured on the BlogHer home page as an editor pick. You can check it out here at BlogHer.com.  My Blogher member page with all of my posts is here.

Vegas Baby! Sister's Edition

There are a few things you should know about Las Vegas before you go.

• If you go in the summer it will be HOT.  100-110 degree are we in a sauna hot; but the warm nights feel amazing.  
• There is no need for a car but there will be tons of walking.  I mean, miles and miles of walking.  It could take you a good 10 minutes just to walk through one of the larger hotels.  Pack your shoes accordingly.  
• Drinking alcoholic beverages in public is perfectly acceptable so your drinks are free to travel with you.  There will be people walking around in the streets with giant waist high drinks; and if you want one for yourself expect to pay about $30 bucks for it!  
• In the streets you will see people dressed up like movie characters and super heroes and doing random street performances.  Yes, you can take pictures with them if you want to.
• No need to worry if you forget something.  There is a Walgreens, CVS and two Ross's right on the strip.  
• You will see go go dancers in casinos on poker tables just dancing their little hearts out while people play cards like business as usual.  You might be shocked at first but eventually it all seems quite normal.
• There is plenty to do besides gamble.  There is something for everyone.
• There are tons of coupons, 2 for 1's and other deals to be had for shows and dinners once you get there.  It is a place of excess and luxury but you can go there on a budget.
• There will be malls filled with many many stores that you can only dream about shopping in.  Good luck finding a cash register in any of these posh high end stores (not that you will need it).  They hide them in the back so the actual exchange of $1,000 for that pair of shoes is oh so discreet.

The drive there on Friday was all good until an overturned big rig had us sitting in traffic for 1 hr and 45 minutes.  We were pretty outdone by the time we finally checked into our hotel but so happy and excited to finally be there.  It's changed so much in three years!  The Vdara and the Cosmopolitan hotels were still being built when I was here last.  We stayed at Polo Towers where I have a timeshare which is a non casino hotel but a perfect location right in the middle of the strip.  It was 1 bedroom, one bath and a full kitchen so it felt more homey and less like a hotel room and we had plenty of room to store snacks and drinks.  We made our own much needed Margarita's on the rocks with light margarita mix and Tequila and drank it on the way over to MGM Grand where we ate dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe.  Then we hung out at the hotel and waited for little sister who had a late flight in.

 

Me and big sis Dani

At the Pool at Harrah's

 

We were at Ross at 9am Saturday morning right when they opened.  Little sis brought work out gear but no tennis shoes and it was imperative that we find a decent going out dress for my older sister.  She shows up in Vegas with a dress more appropriate for a company Holiday Party and we could not let her go out like that!  I don't know what the heck she was thinking!  We worked out at the gym and then walked all the way to The Flamingo to meet my friend J at the pool.  One problem.  This is a major party pool.  The music was loud, there were bodies everywhere and no place to sit.  They even had a poor tired looking bikini clad go go dancer in a little cage dancing in 102 degree heat.  We couldn't take it so we went over to Harrah's where J was actually staying dropped off our beach bags in her room, ate lunch and then went to their much more relaxed pool.

Out to Dinner

Me and my LBD

Out at the Club

Dancing All Night Long

Lil' Sis and Me

Normally even the idea of going out at 10:30 at night is exhausting and I'm ready to end my night by then but in Vegas I sucked it up because I didn't go there to watch a movie and go to bed.  We took a nap after the pool, I got my 2nd wind and we had a BLAST!  I finally got to wear my LBD that I bought a long time ago and it was so much fun to get all dolled up.  We bought an open bar Groupon for Koi Ultra Lounge-Planet Hollywood so we had free drinks for our night out which saved us a ton of money. We met up there with J, got our first drink, went to dinner at a restaurant inside the hotel and then went back to Koi.  The music was great.  We literally danced all night long.  When we were done there we went to Gallery Night Club (also in Planet Hollywood) where we'd gotten a wrist band for no cover and danced some more.  We didn't leave until after 3am.  I can't remember the last time I stayed out that late.  Dani pushed herself too hard at the gym so she was kind of in pain for the rest of the trip.  Poor thing!  She looked like an old lady limping around in her party dress and heels but she made the best of it and it did get a little better each day.

Eating Pizza in bed...life is good!

Three girls....two sinks...thank goodness

Dani and Little Sis in front of the Venetian

Little Sis actually switched shoes with Dani just so she could make the walk home

 

No hang over the next day.  Yes! We were up  Sunday morning by 9am so we could get a cabana at our pool.  Normally, they want to charge you an arm and a leg but at Polo Towers it's 1st come first serve and it is not a party pool at all; which was nice.  Having a cabana meant we didn't have to roast in the sun like a rotisserie chicken and it made the pool experience so much better.  I went to the gym again first then met my sisters at the cabana.  After Dani and I each got our massages at the spa we hung out in the room and ordered pizza from room service and ate it in bed.  Then it was time to head to our show Illusions at the Riviera.  We have no idea how this man locks himself in a box, then is suddenly outside the box and his assistant is in the box.  The guy is no Lance Burton-those tickets woulda cost us a heck of a lot more-but he did some amazing things and it was entertaining.  We took a cab there but we walked back...and it's about 2.5 miles! We stopped at an outdoor Fat Burger on the way to our hotel.  My sister's split a meal but all I wanted was some ice cold beer.  Then, we headed back to the room and got packed.  I think we made it to bed around 2am.   

Me and my BFF J

Poor little sis; she had an 8 am flight Monday morning so she only got a few hours of sleep.  I was so sad to see her go!  She hugged us while we were half asleep and when Dani and I got up around 9am it was so sad to see her bed empty; it wasn't the same without her.  We checked out of our hotel and stored our luggage with the bell desk. Between all the walking and my two gym workouts my legs were good and worn out by Monday.  We walked some more to meet J at the Bellagio for their Breakfast buffet.  Best french toast ever.  I wished I could have eaten more but the belly can only hold so much.  After that it was time to hit the road.

I really love the upbeat, yet relaxing, casual yet glamorous anything goes atmosphere in Vegas.  It can really be anything you want it to be.  It can be romantic or party central.  There is shopping, eating, gambling, pool parties and shows.  There really is something for everyone.  The beautiful massive hotels and the lights are a beautiful sight and it's just a whole different world out there.  It was so much fun getting to hang out with my sisters and my BFF.  I had an amazing time!  We definitely want to do it again; maybe next year.

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As for this weekend Gymnastics Olympic Trials is on.  The ladies are on Friday and Sunday night Live on NBC at 6pm West Coast, 9pm East Coast.  Can't wait!

Fab 4 Day Weekend

Sisters

My little sister is such a hot shot that she got flown down here on Friday night to shoot her friend's sister's wedding on Saturday.  It was an early ceremony and reception so she was done by four.  My big sis and I met up at Mom's house so we could all hang out and spend time together.

Hangin' out at the bar

Me and my sparkling wine.  Can't seem to get enough lately.

Grandparents and Grandkiddo. 

We went to Claim Jumper for dinner.  That place is always busy and since there were six of us it took a little over an hour to get a table.  We passed the time in the bar.  What is it with this sparkling wine craving?  That was my drink of choice while we waited to get seated.  I was trying to be "good" so I just got the salad bar for dinner and put together my own delicious salad.  We didn't get out of there until around 9pm.  We stopped at my Aunts house and then headed home to watch a movie and eat ice cream and Pie.  Well, I don't eat pie so I had a few cookies instead.  I spent the night and took my little sis back to the airport Sunday morning.  I love family time.  It was a short but sweet visit.

It's been great having a four day weekend.  We get both President's Birthday's at my job.  Friday I got to get my cleaning done in the morning and did some errands in the afternoon.  That night Mj and I ate Subway and watched the movie Straw Dogs.  Sunday  we did some home improvement related errands.  We bought a new kitchen sink at Home Depot.  Then, we went out for Pizza and to the movies to see Safe House.  This morning I woke up bright and early and went to the gym and then came back and did my homework.  It's been a fab 4 day weekend but it's not quite over yet.  I've been watching TV and now I feel an afternoon nap coming on.  I'll have time to sleep AND have dinner on the table by the time Mj gets home and finishes his work out.  Now that's fabulous. 

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I am pleased to announce that the winner of my first giveaway is Mrs. Williams!  Her prize is a 5 x 7 canvas hand painted by Lauren and a $15 shop credit to her Etsy Shop.  Thanks so much to all who entered.

Sister Time

Little sis

Big sis Dani and my nephew

Dani picked out this robe and Tia gave it to her for X mas.

 I had a great time with my sisters.  Last Tuesday I picked up Tia from the airport and she spent the night at my house.  On Wednesday we spent the day with our older sister up where she lives.  We went out to Mimi's Cafe for lunch first.  I had a delicious Cobb salad which was a welcome break from all of the pure junk I've been eating.  Then it was time for the mall.  We all finished up our Christmas shopping then went back to the house and hung out.  Later that night we went to a late showing of Breaking Dawn Part 1.  I'm not sure who's idea it was to wear our pajamas but a 10:25 pm showing is pretty late so it seemed like a perfectly reasonable idea.  The movie was so good that I got my 2nd 3rd wind and perked up enough to enjoy it.  Can't wait for part 2.  As soon as we got home we went straight to bed. 

Dressed for the movies...sort of

The Theater was deserted.  Glad we didn't bother getting dressed!

waiting for the movie to start

I'm the middle child

The next morning we woke up and went to mom and dad's house.  We hung out there and mom made hamburgers for dinner.  I'm so glad that I was off of work and got to enjoy this time with them.  I really love spending time with my sisters.  Too bad it doesn't happen often enough but I certainly cherish it when it does.

Hangin' out with Sis

Me and Big Sis at Mom's house 
She's almost done losing her baby + weight!

I had a great weekend hanging with my big sister and the rest of my family.  Friday night I was on my own.  I stayed home and watched The Roommate.  It was a typical obsessed girl beats herself up for attention and snaps at the end kind of move but it was good.  Saturday morning I rolled out of bed and cleaned the house.  I'd put it off for a while so it had to be done.   One of Mj's friend's planned a baby shower for Saturday night.   Even though he is out of town I still wanted to go, but not by myself so Big Sis dropped my nephew at mom's and came down to spend the night so we could hang out and then she could come with me. It's so great having her nearby again.  We have already planned our next sister get together for next month up at her house.  We spent the day hanging out at my house talking about anything and everything and then went to the baby shower that evening.  The first of what is likely to be a flurry of baby shower's to come seeing as how everyone is turning up pregnant lately.  I'm not a big fan of baby shower's for some reason so I liked it that it was just a basic unisex gathering with food.  The only way you knew it was a baby shower was the baby themed cake, paper plates and napkins and the baby gifts.  No games at all.  There was some really good eats and we had a fun time.  It was kind of late but still, we did our best to stay awake after we got home but didn't make it long before we had to go to bed.

He changes everytime I see him. 

I've really been in my homebody mode lately, especially with Mj being gone.  I was going to stay home alone in my jammies after my sister left for my Mom's on Sunday.  But really.  Why should I spend the day at home alone in my pajamas when I can be with my family? Nice as that sounds I just did that last weekend.  Mom told me I should come up and she'd make whatever I wanted for dinner and I'm glad I did.   I got to see Mom and Dad and my little nephew who is as cute as can be.  DJ is standing up by himself now and has 4 teeth.  He'll be walking any day now.  We had Turkey Chili, Salad and Cornbread for dinner.  I only just started eating cornbread last year because I'm picky and had decided that I didn't like it which doesn't make too much sense because I love bread.  Anyways, I like it now and it was so good.

It was a little bit gloomy all weekend but the sun seems to have reappeared and I'm looking forward to a sunny three day weekend and Mj coming home.  I've missed him!  And not just because I had to take over the the plant watering and trash duties. 

San Francisco is COLD

This mother's day was a little different.  It's the first time in my life that I didn't spend it with my Mom.  Mj's busy travel schedule made  it the only time we could take a trip to visit my little sis so we had to go.  The gifts for my mom, my sister's first mother's day and her birthday were sent via mail and we were off to San Francisco Thursday right after work.  It's a pretty short flight for us.  Little sis T and her boyfriend picked us up from the airport in their Zip Car rental and then we checked into our hotel.  Hotels in SF are expensive unless you want to stay in a dump or be next to the Airport.  It's probably the oldest hotel we've ever stayed in but turned out to be pretty decent.  It was $180 per night WITH a military discount.  I've been totally spoiled by checking out of our timeshares without a bill on our last few trips.  It had a good 2 feet of crown molding and lots of beautiful detailing inside and out.   We took our first of many walks throughout the weekend and walked over to T's apartment where she was making Taco's for dinner.  After that we did a little bar hopping-away from the touristy Union square area-where the drinks are cheaper.  I still can't believe I managed to stay out until 1:30 am.  Practically a miracle for me.

Bar hopping

Hangin' out with lil' sis and her boyfriend

Friday was mostly a day of shopping, but first we had breakfast.  There is always a long wait at Dotties True Blue Cafe but everyone said it would be worth it.  They serve 250 meals a day, there are 2 cooks and the place seats 40  but feels smaller then that.  The place is tiny so you wait in line outside and I was freezing my butt off.  It's been featured on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives- (You Tube Video Link) and I waited 50 minutes to get in so I was not about to order my same old boring egg beater Omelet.   I got the French Toast made with their homemade bread and it was the best I've ever had.  Tons of flavor.  Mj enjoyed his Pancakes, eggs and bacon.  After thawing out and getting a good meal we hit the shops.  I'm broke so I had no business shopping but there I was at Macy's, H & M and DSW spending money like I had it.  To be fair, I did get really good deals and actually didn't spend a whole lot of money, but still.  Mj did a little shopping of his own at Macy's and was really patient as I dragged him around to the other stores.  We met little sis for dinner that night and got to hang out with her some more.


Breakfast on the go

Entering Alcatraz.  I'm sure the prisoners didn't smile
on the way in like me.

Saturday the three of us got Egg McMuffins and coffee on the go for breakfast and walked to Pier 33 and then did loads more walking once we got off the ferry at Alcatraz Island.  I finally got to see this place!  I have been wanting to visit this historic Prison since I was a kid.  You see, I have this really weird prison fascination and seeing as how this might be the only prison I ever get to actually go inside I knew that someday I had to do it.  It is a very dreary place.  I cannot even imagine what it would be like to be shut in that tiny, cold, concrete cell day in and day out for years at a time.  I walked into the cell and tried to picture it and just shook my head in disbelief.  How terrible!  We did the audio tour which is pretty much self paced so you can take your time looking at everything as long as you want to.  The view of the city from "The Rock" is beautiful.  It was so darn windy that it was hard to get a good picture.  My eyes AND my nose were watering

Locked up

A little too close for comfort and the decor is awful

San Francisco skyline behind us

We spent quite a bit of time exploring and then went to Fisherman's Wharf for a snack.  I got some yummy fried mini donuts and warm coffee to thaw me out.  Then, we took the long way home so we could walk through China Town.  All you really need is a quick walk through there.  All the stores are basically the same but the architecture is pretty cool.  I was exhausted by the time we made it back to our hotel.  We spent the entire day walking.  We had about 1 1/2 hours to rest then it was off for more walking to meet my cousins for dinner at the Embarcadero.  They live about 45 minutes away and made the drive up to see us.  I ate at a Thai Restaurant for the first time ever and it was pretty good.  I played it safe and got Pad Thai with Chicken.  I'm picky but as long as I stick with Chicken I usually can't go too wrong.

In Chinatown

Cousin's

Sunday was check out day.  We were able to sleep in, walk around the corner for breakfast and then check out.  The hotel held our bags while we walked down Market St where I managed to find some more things to buy at The Gap.  Then, before we knew it T was picking us up and we were heading to the airport to go back home.   It was so good to see my little sis.  There is a 10 year age difference  between us.  For a while she was just my bratty little sister but now that she is older we have gotten so much closer.  Her graduation is on May 27th and I won't be able to make it but I am so proud of her for getting through school and growing up to be the smart, sweet and pretty young woman that she is.  She is still in that post graduation, job hunting, uh oh the student loans are coming due soon phase in her life but with a little more time she'll eventually find her way as we all do.

Of course Mj was fine but traveling really takes it's toll on my body.  We didn't even switch time zones and I felt like a train wreck today!  My thighs are still sore two days later from all that walking we did on Saturday.  We both enjoyed our visit but I will not miss that icy frigid wind.   I felt like it was about to blow me down a couple times.  I had my hat, scarf, glove and leather jacket and it still wasn't enough.   The only thing we didn't do that I wanted to is ride the Trolley.  Maybe next time.  All in all it was a fabulous trip!!

Girls & Baby Family Weekend

Out at happy hour Friday night

When it comes to spending time with family there doesn't need to be a plan.  Just being together is enough.  Mom, big sis, and little sis came down and spent the weekend at our house while Mj was away at drill.  The bonus is that my little sis was able to fly down from SF and join us when we didn't necessarily think she would be here.  The only real set plan we had was for Friday night and we would just play it by ear for the rest of the time.  Friday they all met at up my house while I was at work.  Once I got off my sister's joined me and my friends for happy hour at one of our favorite hang out spots while mom stayed home and watched the baby.  We had a great time there drinking and eating then got home around 9:30pm and stayed up watching TV and talking until we couldn't keep our eyes open anymore and had to go to bed.

The girls

I woke up bright and early Saturday morning for no particular reason.  I was just so excited to have them all at my house. It was so cool to finally have a place big enough to invite them over to.  Mom, big sis and I did P90 Yoga and then we all got dressed to meet the carpet guy at my rental property.  Too bad he was a no show but we got a chance to take a peek into my recently vacated condo.  Sadly, it's a wreck.  After that we went back to my house and brought out the stroller so we could walk over to Outback steak house for lunch.  It's a short walk and such a perfectly beautiful sunny day that we wanted to get out and enjoy it a little.  We were too early!!  They don't open until 3:30pm so we walked to Blockbuster to get some movies stopping at 7-11 along the way to get Slurpee's.  We spent about an hour and fifteen minutes walking all together.  By the time we made it back to Outback we were all STARVING!!

We all got Slurpee's for the walk

Mom and little sis

We enjoyed a nice lunch then walked to CVS for a few things.  Back at my house we watched gymnastics that I DVR'd earlier that day.  It was the American Cup.  Mom is usually too busy running around to catch it and little sis (who is also a former gymnast) is usually at work so it was awesome that we could all sit there together and watch it.  After that it was movie time.  We got our popcorn, candy, wine and other munchies together and watched Life As We Know It and Love & Other Drugs back to back.  Big sis had to tap out and take the fussy baby up to bed but the rest of us managed to barely stay awake and finish watching the last movie.  For not really having any plans it turned out to be quite a full and fun day.

We love this kid. 

Sisters & nephew DJ

We lounged around eating breakfast, chatting and watching TV until late afternoon on Sunday.  There is never a shortage of things to talk about.  Then all too soon it was time for everyone to get moving and get dressed.  They had to get on the road and head home and I needed to go grocery shopping.  We stopped at Wendy's so they could grab a bite to eat.  I'm usually the one who isn't ready to eat yet so I just held the baby and snatched some fries for myself.  I wasn't even going to go but I just didn't want the weekend to end and was trying to spend every last minute with them that I could.  I was so sad to see them go.  I love spending time with them and I'm so glad that we got to do just that for an entire weekend.    I already started missing them as soon as they got into the car and drove away.  I love them so much!  I feel so incredibly lucky to have each one of them in my life and am glad we are so close.  We didn't do anything spectacular but it was still a spectacular weekend just because we were together.