Wednesday, February 18, 2009

More beach pictures










I've never posted much about our little house at the beach. Charlie and I bought it about 5 years ago and it had been pretty much abandoned. It needed a lot of work and what was supposed to be a 3 month project turned into a year long ordeal. Some day I will write a long post about the effects of beach time (a whole different way of looking at a "work" day) on lazy contractors who have issues involving illegal drugs. Anyway, it still needs a lot of work (this last weekend we found the roof is now leaking in about 5 places and gophers have invaded the side yard) It's kind of an strange little place. It's actually parts of two houses put together with rooms in between and includes some odd features like a picture window into the garage and carpet that stains all by itself when we are not there (and not under where the roof is leaking either). But we love it and the little town it's in.

So now I am going to take up a whole bunch of blog space with pictures of last weekend. We had some sun, spent an afternoon with our friends from Los Angeles who have a house there too, and a good time was had by all.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Saturday Night Excitement

Okay, so this is how my life is now. My bi-weekly Saturday night shopping trip using coupons is fast becoming one of the highlights of the week. Two weeks ago, it was Albertsons and tonight it was Safeway--I spent $79 and saved.... $76! Safeway helpfully calculates this all out on your receipt and it was 49% savings. Of course, this is a combination of the coupons I had and their "club" savings. It's fun though. Of course, the fact that I actually get to go somewhere by myself that's not work and can walk through a store without no one begging for candy has nothing to do with why this is enjoyable.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Happy Chinese New Year







We are lucky enough to have a beautiful Chinese Garden just a few miles from us downtown in Chinatown. They are having a series of events to celebrate Chinese New Year. On our visit today we got to see a wonderful Lion Dance, wander around the garden itself and the kids made paper lanterns and dragon cards.

Annie is a Snake -Snakes love good food, music and books
Bethany is a Horse - Horses are cheerful and quick to compliment
Jack is a Ram - Rams are good artists, ask many questions and are wise
Charlie and I are Dogs - Dogs are loyal and can keep a secret

Hope you all have a wonderful Year of the Ox!