insurance, ice cream, and computers

I read an interesting article in the paper today. Basically, it said that PETA (strike 1) wanted Ben & Jerry's (strike 2 - I'm a Dreyer's/Edy's gal) to stop using cow's milk and use breast milk instead in its ice cream. What?? Yes, you read that right.

Now, I don't think I would purposely eat ice cream that was made with breast milk, and to be honest, I would probably avoid it simply because it was suggested by the wacky psychos at PETA anyway...but I have to say that I'm intrigued. How much would B&J be willing to pay for breast milk? Because, you know, I kinda have an abundance right now, and a little side job would probably more than pay for the housekeeper and new bedding that I want to buy. I'm just saying...

***********************************************************

Ok, on to other topics. I am hereby writing this post on my new (to me) laptop. I'm so excited! The screen is way bigger and much clearer than my old machine. It's heavier and bulkier, too, but I guess that comes with the territory. And I need to mess with my router, because I'm not getting a very good signal when I'm upstairs (the router is downstairs)...but it's mine!! We slipped some cash to our friend, and it only took a little coaxing to get him to take it. And now I can surf and blog with the best of them!

So, that's what made me happy this week.

************************************************************

Here's what pissed me off.

We recently decided to make some changes to our insurance coverage. In the hopes of reducing costs, we switched to another company. No biggie for auto and home insurance, but we had to go through all kinds of crap for the life policy. And after all the medical stuff (interviews, exams), I got a call yesterday saying that they will write a policy for me, but I won't be getting the best discounted rate. Why? I asked.

The response? I'm too heavy and my blood pressure is too high (and what better way to elevate it even more, right??). I tried to stay calm and ask for some details. Basically, my BP is 2 points too high (the bottom number), and they expected me to have lost all the baby weight within 3 months of delivery. Yes, 3 months! Who the *O#$(&^ are they kidding?? Any doctor will tell you that it took 10 months to gain all that weight, it's not out of the question for it to take that long or longer to get it all back off. Oh, and don't forget that I'm still breastfeeding and each boob weighs a good 5 pounds.

Now, they are basing all of this on an exam by a travelling nurse who came to my house, took my BP at the end of a stressful day, and made me get on a scale while my son napped and my melons filled up. A single point in time on a random day on a scale that I don't know when was last calibrated. yada yada yada

Know what the nice lady on the phone said when I mentioned all this??? I can request to be re-evaluated in 2 years. 2 YEARS!! But, I'm stuck paying the higher premium until then...all based on a 10 minute exam. Oh, and who knows what my health will be like in 2 years...they may find other things to screw me on. I'm still fighting this. It's not over yet. They don't know who they're dealing with!

Cubicle Living

I live in a cube farm at my job. There’s a very narrow aisle that runs through the middle of a bunch of very small cubes. The size doesn’t bother me since I’m not here all the time, and I don’t plan on bringing in a bunch of personal things. But, the narrow aisle is kind of a pain. If someone is coming from the other way, you have to duck into someone’s cube to let them pass…thing airplane aisle. Hey, maybe that’s why it’s so small…all these aircraft people designed it.

Anyway, I don’t have a ton of experience living in cubicles – I’ve spent more time in my own office or in an open office where we all sit and look at each other. So, I don’t know how common what I’m experiencing actually is.

There are 2 guys who sit right next to me and they spend a lot of time at their desks (and so do I right now). Well, I can hear both of them on the phone, even though they try to whisper. And I’m not straining to hear them, either. But, apparently, both of them are divorced with kids and remarried now. So, I hear things about “kid free” weekends and pick-up/drop-off plans and all kinds of scary things.

I know divorce is common, and maybe I’m just more sensitive to kids and divorce now that I’m a parent myself, but hearing this stuff just kills me. Those poor kids! Their parents are scheming to get “kid free” weekends and upset when it doesn’t work out. They’re constantly looking at calendars to keep days with their kids straight. And they’re CONSTANTLY on the phone, talking about personal matters. If it’s not kids and their exes, it’s golf and fishing and that beer festival or that political speech on TV last night. Now, you know that I spend my fair share of time at work NOT working, but I think these guys have me beat, by a lot!

All I have to say is that sitting by these guys sure does encourage me to keep things great in my marriage. I can’t imagine going without seeing my kid for days at a time or living without my husband or pushing and pulling kids between us. It makes me sad.

Changes

I got some sad news via email a couple weeks ago. And it was a surprise to me because news travels so fast these days. One of my favorite families and sweetest neighbors is moving away. They are heading back to their home state, to within 45 minutes of their hometown where they became high school sweethearts.

I’m so excited for them, because I totally know that feeling and want to move close to home, but I’m going to miss them so much.

They have been great neighbors and wonderful friends for the past 2 years. They are always the first ones to offer their help -- to move heavy furniture, to loan some random item (a potato, book, suitcase), to run home and make sure I didn’t leave the flat iron plugged in, to pick me up from the airport, to bring us food after I had a baby (even though she was 9 months pregnant!), and a million other things.

We ran to tell each other when we found out we were pregnant...and would have baby boys within 2 months of each other. We’ve called each other from the store to let each other know about some great deal. We’ve scrapbooked together. We’ve vented about all kinds of things to each other. Our dogs have run and played in the backyard (and the house when Max finds his way into our doggie door) together.

And now they’re leaving. And I’m so sad. Our neighborhood will not be the same without them. And I know I’m not the only one feeling that way. Their family will be so missed. Their 2 older kids are so sweet and kind and fun to chat and play with. I’ll miss seeing their costumes on Halloween and watching them love on their little brother and seeing their smiling faces holding out whatever fundraiser they’re currently working on.

But, we've known for a while that this was a possibility...I just chose to ignore it, hoping that our sons would grow up to be best buddies, running back and forth between our houses. Now, we’ll have to make that long drive to another state...but we will do it, and we will keep in touch. And I’ll be forever thankful for all that I’ve learned from our friends, and I will miss them!

And I've already informed them that they can not move unless they sell the house to another nice family. =)

Where I've Been

First off, thanks for all the comments on the bus thing. I was really just ranting a bit, but you all made valid points. I've called the district before about crazy bus drivers and they don't do anything about it (another reason to not put my kid on the bus). And I understand about the risks of kids standing at a bus stop, but most parents wait with them anyway (if they're young). The other thing with them stopping at each house is that the kids spend 1 1/2 - 2 hours on the bus EACH WAY to and from school...imagine all the time they'd save if they stopped only 3-4 times in my neighborhood instead of 20!

On to other things...

I've been a little absent from cyber space lately. See, I've had a laptop...until recently. And I had to give it back. It belonged to my old employer. I guess I should have volunteered it when I quit, but they didn't ask for it, and it was old, and I didn't want to give it up. But, they realized I still had it, and they called asking for it last week. So, it's gone.

BUT, I have good news. See, I told The Colonel that we needed another laptop. Our desktop is ancient (7 years old), and it's down in the basement and it locks up all the time. I started doing research on consumer reports and watching the ads. And then The Colonel did something brilliant. He called his good friend from HS, who's a computer guru, and asked him if he had an extra laptop in his closet that we could buy from him. And you know what?? He did!! Literally! He had a one year old, but never used, laptop just sitting there. And the best part? Our "price" is a beer when he comes into town this weekend...with my new laptop! How cool is that??

I'm so excited. And once it gets here, I'll be back to posting super cute pictures and video of my adorable son. In the meantime...miss me while I'm absent.

The Wheels on the Bus...

go WAY too fast through my neighborhood.

I was almost taken out by 2 buses...on my own street, this morning. See, every morning, I rush to get out of my house by 6:25 am. Any later, and I’m not late for work, but I end up stopping 5 bazillion times behind the school bus as they stop at EVERY house where a kid lives. Maybe this is a slight exaggeration, but they stop at least 6 times in the quarter mile from my house to the main road.

I made it out in time this morning, but I had to dodge one bus that came flying around the curve a few houses down from mine, and then I dodged another bus that cut the corner going Mach 1 to turn onto my street. And I’m supposed to put my kid on the bus in 5 years?? I think not!

And this may make me sound old...but when I rode the bus to school, it picked up in one place in our entire neighborhood of about 1000 houses. I had to walk like 4 blocks to the bus stop. And now, they drop off and pick up each kid in front of his house!!! C’mon, they can walk one block to the end of our neighborhood, can’t they???

Finally!

The rain has finally left our part of the country...for now.

After what seemed like forever, and was probably little more than a week or so, we finally saw sunny skies over the weekend. Of course, the sun didn’t show up until most of our part of town was flooded. I didn’t get out and take photos like Lindsey did, but it looked like that by our house, too.

There was only one way out of our neighborhood for a couple days, and to go north, you first had to go south and make a big loop. Not fun! The water has gone down now, and we were some of the lucky ones who didn’t have flooding inside our house. Just a couple miles south of us, everyone was flooded out. The Colonel came home from work early on Friday, and it’s a good thing he did because the roads only got worse as the day wore on.

Mom and Dad had some problems since their idiotic roofers, who cashed their check and promised to do the work over a month ago, HAD NOT fixed the leaky roof yet and the leak only got worse. Go figure! They should be there right now making it right…of course, making it right to me would be getting my $$ back, firing them, and burning their sign that’s in the front yard right now. Dad isn’t quite as mean as me, though.

BUT, Sunday was gorgeous, and yesterday was more of the same. It made me SO glad that I don’t work on Mondays. Lil Major and I took full advantage of the cool air and sunny sky. We went for walks and sat on the grass and pulled weeds (well, I did, anyway), and we opened the windows and pulled up the (very dusty) blinds. It looks like fall is here!

The only damper on the weekend was that the boy has his first cold, and his daddy is sick, too. I’m trying to breathe in other directions to avoid getting it myself...but my nose is runny today.

Even with his cold, the kiddo still smiles when he looks at Daddy and giggles when you tickle his feet…and he’s loving his jumparoo. Check it out!

Movin' and Shakin'

This is what has been going on in our house this week. Such excitement!

Lil Major is SO close to crawling. I'm proud and sad and scared all at the same time. I don't think I'm ready for a mobile baby!




Lil Major has started to LOVE his cereal. He almost attacks his spoon, and tonight I had to make more cereal twice - yes, the boy had thirds!

Giddy Up!

Daisy taught Lil Major a fun new game while we were in Bako. I'm not quite as good as it as she is, but we still try.

Remember

I drove to work today in much the same way I did that morning 7 years ago. Thinking about all the things I needed to do, not watching traffic as closely as I should. Wishing I had more coffee in my cup.

But, today I was thinking about that morning 7 years ago, and tears came to my eyes. I didn’t cry that morning. I was in shock and no tears came. They come now at the slightest thing – images of September 11, 2001, Alan Jackson’s voice on the radio, seeing photos of NYC before that day, seeing a military person at the airport.

After that day, we said that life would never be the same again. And in some ways it’s not…but in others, it seems we’ve gotten back to “normal.” Sure, we’re still fighting a war in the attempt to end terrorism…but most of us who are not directly involved in the war have gone back to our normal business. And there are days, probably even weeks, when I don’t directly think about 9/11/01…but still, I will never forget.

And I’ll always be proud to be an American.

Why now?

It’s been almost 4 months. Lil Major has grown and changed so much in that time. Almost every day I notice something different about him. And almost every day I see something that reminds me of Gary and Kim – my coffee cup she decorated for me, the fun magnets decorating my kitchen that they gave me, the crazy No Trespassing signs in the garage that used to hang in Kim and Gary’s house, their picture on my bookshelf…

So, why did I cry on my way to work TODAY? Why are those memories and feelings of loss coming back to me NOW?

Maybe it’s delayed. I never took it as hard (on the outside) as Jayme did.

But, I don’t think so. I think that because my son is reaching milestones like crazy right now, it’s making me realize all that he will miss out on by never knowing Auntie Kim and Uncle Gary. I look at pictures of Gary and Kim with their other nieces and nephews. They loved them SO much, and you can see the love on their faces as they hold them. It hurts so much that Lil Major will never have that chance. Uncle Gary will never teach him to say, “Uncle Gary is my favorite uncle.” Auntie Kim will never take the picture of her holding all her nieces and nephews when Lil Major is one of them.

I was going to leave out the tornado story from his baby book. Not that I would hold the story back from him, but just to make the book happier. But, I changed my mind. I want Lil Major to know how special he was to Gary and Kim before they even met him. I’m going to go back and include the story and pictures of Gary and Kim in his baby book.

G&K would be so excited to hear that Lil Major is eating cereal now, and loving it! And that his first tooth is about to pop out – you can feel its pointy edges just breaking through his gum. And that he’s going to crawl ANY day. He gets up onto all fours and rocks back and forth. And how he laughs like crazy when you buzz his neck or tickle his foot or poke his arm pit. I hope that they can look down from heaven and watch their newest nephew as he grows and changes.

5 months

I can't believe I've been a mom for 5 months already. That's almost half a year! In some ways it feels like Lil Major just got here, and in other ways it feels like he's been in my life forever. I certainly could not imagine NOT having him here with us.

The kiddo turned 5 months yesterday. 5 whole months of feedings every few hours, of who knows how many dirty diapers and loads of laundry...and tons of smiles and coos and giggles and hugs and snuggles.



What better way to celebrate such a milestone than be experiencing some of the wonderful things that happen in the fall. Last night, Lil Major experienced his first high school football game. We started out the evening by eating yummy burgers at the local joint in The Colonel's hometown. We went with both sets of grandparents, and we gave them some photos of the boy for grandparents day (which is tomorrow!!). Then we headed over to the game with my parents.

Thanks to Gustav and some weird cold front from the north, it feels like fall is already here. The temps are kinda cool, and the rain has set in, so it really felt appropriate for the game.

We bundled up and braved the sprinkles and the cool breeze as we cheered the Fighting Indians...to a terrible loss. They had it in their clutches (3 times!) to beat the defending state champions, but it wasn't meant to be. We still had a lot of fun though.




Lil Major stayed awake and took everything in until the start of the third quarter. By then, he'd seen half of a game, looked at all the people around us, and danced to the band...but his little eyes couldn't stay open any longer, and he napped with Papa for the rest of the game. And then he came home and slept for 10 hours straight!


After his long slumber last night, Lil Major, Mema and I loaded up and went back to The Colonel's hometown this morning for a parade...in the rain. They didn't cancel it, so off we went. Again, the kiddo just took it all in and had a great time. He had so much fun that he didn't complain while Mema, Grammy and I did some shopping afterwards. Way to go, buddy!




Here's one more photo for my buddy band of brothers...look closely, Jayme and I just had to take this photo for you (it's the high school football team on their parade float).

Sally, I miss you!

No, I don't miss me. I miss my Saab, my convertible, my namesake (in other words, my real name isn't Sally - you all knew that, right?).

About 10 months ago, I drove my little Saab to the car lot and traded her in for a mama car, an SUV, The Pilot. And I love my Pilot, and it's PERFECT for my son. I can change him in the back of it and even be protected from the rain or whatever by the tailgate (or whatever you call it). All 3 of my strollers fit into it (you never know which one you'll want to use). I can reach the back seat from the driver's seat, and I can climb over INTO the backseat while The Colonel is driving to get to Lil Major. It's great...

But...

The top doesn't come off. And I was really ok with that until I got off work today. And it's 70 degrees. And sunny. And gorgeous. And I drove away like a mama nerd in my SUV with the windows rolled down and the radio cranked. Oh, woe is me!

And to add insult to injury...when I picked up my rental car last week to drive back to SoCal to fly home, the gal offered me a FREE upgrade to a convertible. In fact, she asked me to PLEASE take it. I've been offered a lot of free upgrades in my day (there was the time I got the Jaguar for free, and my boss thought it was so cool he asked me to drive him to our meeting...and then I forgot him at the hotel. Oops. And the time I got the free upgrade to the Land Rover in Houston), but never a convertible. And, I couldn't take it. I had to tell the girl, NO, I need a 4-door. Oi!

Add that to my 34th birthday yesterday, and I'm sounding pretty stinkin' old!

But, I have a beautiful son who I love with all my heart, so I guess it's worth it, huh?

For ME??

My blogging buddy Jody over at Iowa Geek gave me an award recently. She loves my blog! Over the last months as we've read each other's blogs and gotten to know each other, we've realized that we have a lot of similarities - our love for convertibles and conservative politics and travel...and I'm looking forward to the day we can meet in person.



So, the award is awesome, and I'm so grateful...but, here's the tough part. I have to award it to 7 other blogs. Argh! The hard part is narrowing it down. I amaze most people when I tell them I have over 60 blogs in my bloglines. How do I pick just 7?? I'll give it a shot...just be gentle with me if I don't pick yours (and I'm staying away from family, b/c you guys KNOW I love your blogs!)...it doesn't mean I don't obsessively check my bloglines to see if you've updated.

Paulette - your writing is amazing, and I love reading about the antics of your family...plus, it helps me not feel so far away from you!

Band of Brothers - your creativity and enthusiasm inspire me! It makes me want to try to sew and take pictures and play on the floor with the kids.

Agnes - I'm so glad you started a blog. Your vacation stories and pictures of the boy help me not feel so far away from you. I'm so glad we're venturing on this motherhood thing together!

Journey to Iraq - I found Penny's blog through a friend, and I'm so glad I did. She's deployed in Iraq right now, and her stories and pictures show all the WONDERFUL things happening over there. Thanks for helping us stay positive! Come home safely!

Lorieloo - Another super creative and talented blogger and friend! Your series about you and Scott was so fun. I love reading about all your photography outings, and you KNOW I love your photos. I'm so glad we were able to spend some time together recently.

Shell - You got me into blogging! And it's been a great way for us to get back in touch. I can't wait til we can introduce our kiddos to each other!

Terry - Road Rage - Your title attracted me instantly, but I've loved reading about your career. I'm so impressed with how well you do your job, and I love hearing about all the fun and crazy times. Hang in there!


Whew! I did it! There are many more blogs that I love and have to read daily, but I wanted to honor these 7 today. If you haven't read their stuff, head over and check it out.

About Me

CeCe tagged me for the 7 things MEME. I've done this one a few times before, but I think I have some new readers since I last did it...so I'm going to cheat and just link to my old ones. Besides, I told you all one new thing about myself in my last post...about my blankie. =)

So, to learn MORE than 7 new things about me (if you're a newer reader, or you forgot already), click here and here. Oh, and here's another one...just about my teenage years.

It's kinda fun to look back on these old posts b/c some things have definitely changed since I wrote them!

Tagged by AbbaGirl

Abbagirl tagged me for this forever ago, so I figured I needed to get crackin' on it.

A. Attached or single? Attached for life to The Colonel!

B. Best friend? I don't really have just one...I have about 15 (non family) people in my life who I can't live without.

C. Cake or pie? Cake, chocolate please...maybe white with chocolate frosting...no doubt! Pie is for wimps!

D. Day of choice? Friday or Saturday probably...of course, now that I don't work Mondays, I could pick that. hee hee.

E. Essential item? It's a toss up between my cell phone and my computer. I be in SO much trouble in a power outage. I'd go crazy!!

F. Favorite color? Red

G. Gummy bears or worm? Neither..the only gummy candy I like are sour and coated in sugar.

H. Hometown? I always say Bakersfield, CA, on this one. But, I guess I technically lived in Fresno longer - Bako just feels more like home.

I. Indulgence? Steak, gorgonzola cheese, baked potato, glass of Pinot

J. January or July? Probably July. I love the 4th of July...and the days are too short in January.

K. Kids? This is the first MEME I can answer YES to this question! Lil Major is almost 5 months old.

L. Life isn't complete without? Family (I agree Abbagirl!)

M. Marriage date? 11/11/00

N. Number of brothers and sisters? One brother - 31 years old, and one sister - 29 years old.

O. Oranges or apples? Apples - fuji are my favorite

P. Phobias? something happening to my kid, my hubby, my family

Q. Quotes? I don't know...I never know how to answer this since nothing sticks in my mind.

R. Reasons to smile? My son giggling, my husband hugging me, my family together, time with friends

S. Season of choice? Fall

T. Tag Seven Peeps! Since I took so long to post this, I'll let you all off the hook...if you decide to do this, let me know.

U. Unknown fact about me? I still sleep with the blanket that I was brought home from the hospital in. It went to the hospital with me with Lil Major was born. I tried and tried to get rid of it, but I can't. I know, I'm a freak.

V. Vegetable? If i have to pick just one I'll say mushrooms.

W. Worst habits? Hubby says it's talking with my mouth full. Whatever.

X. X-ray or ultrasound? I've had both - x-ray for a broken arm when I was 6 and a sprained ankle when I was 17...ultrasounds for pregnancy

Y. Your favorite food? Pizza or Mom's meatloaf

Z. Zodiac sign? Virgo...hmm, I don't even know what Lil Major's is.

So far behind

I have so much to catch up on...I don't know if I'll get it all done.

We're home safe and sound from our amazing trip to California. We had a blast with friends and family. It was nice to get home, but hard to leave everyone behind again. This week marks 2 years that we have been in Kansas. The time has flown by! We are loving it here and have made some amazing friends here...but we will always love our special friends in CA. Thanks for all your hospitality last week. We had so much fun!!

Now, we're trying to get the house back in order, get back on midwest time, and prepare for The Colonel and I to turn one more year older next week. Oh yeah, and I have to go back to work next week, too.

I have many posts going through my mind -- a couple tags I need to answer, pictures of my cousin's wedding, many more pictures of our visits to see friends and family, and if I can figure it out, a video or 2 of the kiddo. If I can get it together, look for a barrage of posts from me over the next couple days.

For now, it's off to Kohl's to check out their picture frame sale...grandparent's day is coming up, did you know that???

Just a Glimpse...

of our amazing time with Lorie. I don't know HOW I'm going to choose which ones to print and post and share because they're all amazing! But, here are a few to whet your appetite...

Countdown

My time at "home" is winding down. It has been an amazing trip! I haven't spent this much time in Bako since I moved away 2 years ago. I've visited with lots of friends and coworkers. I've showed off my gorgeous son. I've eaten great food. I've thoroughly enjoyed Agnes' family's generosity, not to mention the time I've had with her grinning son. I've been to a photo shoot in a HOT Bakersfield alfalfa field (more on that later) with the amazing Lorie.

And I STILL have 2 1/2 more days! What will I do, you ask? Visit more friends, eat more food, swim with my boy...and I guess I better do some packing.

Lil Major and I miss The Colonel and our puppies immensely. And according to The Colonel, I won't recognize my house when we get home. And my car is washed, waxed, and newly oiled. The puppies have been washed and walked, the grass has been mowed, the weeds have been pulled. I think it's safe to say that we've been missed! =)

I've taken HUNDREDS of pictures (not as many as Lorie, though), but I'll choose some of my favorites to share for right now.

Marge and I didn't get the message about wearing black to my favorite Bako restaurant, Cafe Med, but we still had a blast. We got our own little room with a big square table, and we scared our waiter away with all our talk about breast feeding, baby poop, and the Olympics.


After dinner, Marge invited us back to her house where she made Pazooki (sp?) for us...because we hadn't eaten enough at dinner. Lil Major snuggled up to Paulette and melted my heart.


The next day, Lil Major and I ate a yummy breakfast with Daisy and her girls. They rolled out the red carpet, and we had so much fun playing and eating.





Have you ever swam in a backyard pool with a whole slew of kids?? Woah! It's pretty crazy. We swam and laughed and bribed the kids with ice cream sandwiches so they'd pose for pictures. Can you believe that there are 9 kids missing from this photo??


Natty was just helping her daughter get the chocolate off her hands.


The boys sure enjoyed themselves and after a few minutes of screaming in the car, we arrived home to find this...



Who knew that frozen mango tasted this good?



Here is our Bako Blogger's Bash. We met up at one of my favorite pizza places, where they SWORE the A/C was turned on, but it was at least 90 degrees in there. So, please, overlook the sweaty wilted faces...we had a (heat) blast anyway.


Liza and MO were there for a while.


Natty finally got her time with Lil Major (man, my son is popular with the ladies!).


And I got some time with Henry.


Besides my favorite bloggers (Agnes, Lorie, Cece, band of brothers, Liza, Paulette, and frequent commenter Daisy), we had some other friends come who we are trying to convince to START blogging...see how much fun it is??


My good friend KK came up from SoCal to see us, and we had to get a picture of her daughter and Lil Major. They're about 2 1/2 months apart in age.


Lil Major and I went to visit our good friends this afternoon...and to introduce him to their triplets. The kiddos thought the baby was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed all the love and cuddling I got with the triplets.


The boy has picked up a couple new things here in California. He now can get his foot into his mouth - I knew this was coming, and it's just as cute as I expected it to be. And he has started to chew on his tongue. It's so cute and so weird looking all at the same time! I love this boy!!


By the way, this is my 400th post!!

7 states and counting

That's how many states Lil Major has been to in his 4 short months of life. And before we could leave The OC on Monday, we had to introduce him to the Pacific Ocean. He loved it!!

So busy...

but, we're here, in THE OC. We've eaten In N Out once already, been to a wedding, seen a favorite friend...and there's no time to write much, but I'll leave you with some fun pictures.

Meeting the cousins for the first time...


Auntie and cousins...


Mema & Papa and their brood (just one cuz is missing - we miss you Captain!)


My friend drove down from Pasadena to have lunch with me and meet Lil Major...and I worked on her to start her own blog (I know you're reading...c'mon, just do it!!)


I have tons more pictures, but blogger is slow, my laptop battery is dying, and I'm exhausted...so I'm off to try for some SWEET DREAMS of my own...