The Sacramento Bee reminded me that today is the Winter Solstice! You know what that means? The days get longer from here on out!!
We've entered Sacramento's rainy season, so it's been feeling pretty wet around here. Some more minutes of light will help lessen the gloomy affects of rain.
I have to admit, the rain feels good. It's nice to get everything washed out once in a while. My car is looking better than it has in a long time!!
Learn about the Solstice here.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Aloha!
Aloha!!
I just returned to the mainland from a dreamy week on the island of Maui spent with my sister and boyfriend. I ask you, what more could one ask for?
Here's a brief synopsis of the trip...
One day of travel (post wild birthday party!) arriving in Maui in the early evening. Plenty of time to tour the Marriot Resort and hit Whaler's Village for dinner :) Our first tropical drink: Mai Tai's of course. Then, we discovered the "Lava Flow". This became the drink of the week. Yup, it's got coconut in it. I think I like coconut now... Of course, we hit the spa before retiring to the sound of the ocean crashing outside our room.
Day One: We drove the road to Hana stopping to tour a lava tube (cave below the ground left from flowing lava!). The lava tube was used as a fall out shelter for a while, but is now open to public tourists who love to wear bright yellow hard hats and carry big flashlights. We lunched at Hana Bay and continued the road around the perimeter of Maui stopping for a swim in the Seven Pools.
Day Two: We were up bright and early for a 7am boat departure for a snorkeling adventure. It turned into an opportunity to SNUBA!!! It's as cools a scuba diving, but you don't have to carry the air tank. It floats on a raft and you are connected via tube. We had 20 foot tubes and weight belts to help us sink down to swim with the fishies. It really is a completely different world down there. We didn't get a chance to swim with them, but we saw some LARGE green sea turtles off the side of the boat :)
The afternoon was spent recovering at the resort playing in the pool and on the waterslide
Day Three: We slept in and cruised over to the Ocean Center, to see and learn about all the marine life we swam with the day before :) The sea turtles at the Ocean Center were tiny compared to the ones we saw in the ocean! The afternoon involved a stroll under the 1 acre banyan tree and a little Lahaina shopping. Evening brought the Luau! Every trip to Hawaii has to include a luau! We watched the pig get dug out of the sand pit...he was already all chopped up! The dancing inspired me to work on my hula.
Day Four: This day of luxury started with a real restaurant breakfast at Moose McGillicuddy's. Sis loved the banana muffin. Stuffed to the brim, we took our ritzy selves to the Shops at Wailea and visited all those brand name stores that we can't afford. But, we could afford to look (and gawk). We bought stuff at the ABC store! From there, we walked along the water front path that passes the high end hotels...we toured the gardens and pools of the Grand Wailea, the Fairmont, etc. We thought our waterslide was cool, until we lost count of the number of water slides at the Grand Wailea. It just goes to show that just when you think you have it all....there is always more.
Day Five: We drove up to the top of Mount Haleakala to view the eroded crater and more recent cinder cones (volcanic vents). It was totally cold and windy up there! Back down at the tropical elevation, we strolled through a botanical garden. Yup, even in December, there are beautiful flowers to be seen! We stopped at IAO Valley State Park on our way back and gazed at the phalic monument of a mountain (something important to the Hawaiian culture I think...I wasn't one of the two sign readers on the trip). I did see that the sign said it was 133 steps to the view point. I counted as I went up. The sign is correct.
Day Six: For our last full day on the island, we decided that we needed to spend it in true resort style. We layed by the beach for the morning (dug a huge hole to China) and played in the pool for the afternoon. It's truly amazing how time flies when your relaxing.
Another day of traveling rounded out the trip...and I'm back in the winterland of Sacramento.
-Mahalo
I just returned to the mainland from a dreamy week on the island of Maui spent with my sister and boyfriend. I ask you, what more could one ask for?
Here's a brief synopsis of the trip...
One day of travel (post wild birthday party!) arriving in Maui in the early evening. Plenty of time to tour the Marriot Resort and hit Whaler's Village for dinner :) Our first tropical drink: Mai Tai's of course. Then, we discovered the "Lava Flow". This became the drink of the week. Yup, it's got coconut in it. I think I like coconut now... Of course, we hit the spa before retiring to the sound of the ocean crashing outside our room.
Day One: We drove the road to Hana stopping to tour a lava tube (cave below the ground left from flowing lava!). The lava tube was used as a fall out shelter for a while, but is now open to public tourists who love to wear bright yellow hard hats and carry big flashlights. We lunched at Hana Bay and continued the road around the perimeter of Maui stopping for a swim in the Seven Pools.
Day Two: We were up bright and early for a 7am boat departure for a snorkeling adventure. It turned into an opportunity to SNUBA!!! It's as cools a scuba diving, but you don't have to carry the air tank. It floats on a raft and you are connected via tube. We had 20 foot tubes and weight belts to help us sink down to swim with the fishies. It really is a completely different world down there. We didn't get a chance to swim with them, but we saw some LARGE green sea turtles off the side of the boat :)
The afternoon was spent recovering at the resort playing in the pool and on the waterslide
Day Three: We slept in and cruised over to the Ocean Center, to see and learn about all the marine life we swam with the day before :) The sea turtles at the Ocean Center were tiny compared to the ones we saw in the ocean! The afternoon involved a stroll under the 1 acre banyan tree and a little Lahaina shopping. Evening brought the Luau! Every trip to Hawaii has to include a luau! We watched the pig get dug out of the sand pit...he was already all chopped up! The dancing inspired me to work on my hula.
Day Four: This day of luxury started with a real restaurant breakfast at Moose McGillicuddy's. Sis loved the banana muffin. Stuffed to the brim, we took our ritzy selves to the Shops at Wailea and visited all those brand name stores that we can't afford. But, we could afford to look (and gawk). We bought stuff at the ABC store! From there, we walked along the water front path that passes the high end hotels...we toured the gardens and pools of the Grand Wailea, the Fairmont, etc. We thought our waterslide was cool, until we lost count of the number of water slides at the Grand Wailea. It just goes to show that just when you think you have it all....there is always more.
Day Five: We drove up to the top of Mount Haleakala to view the eroded crater and more recent cinder cones (volcanic vents). It was totally cold and windy up there! Back down at the tropical elevation, we strolled through a botanical garden. Yup, even in December, there are beautiful flowers to be seen! We stopped at IAO Valley State Park on our way back and gazed at the phalic monument of a mountain (something important to the Hawaiian culture I think...I wasn't one of the two sign readers on the trip). I did see that the sign said it was 133 steps to the view point. I counted as I went up. The sign is correct.
Day Six: For our last full day on the island, we decided that we needed to spend it in true resort style. We layed by the beach for the morning (dug a huge hole to China) and played in the pool for the afternoon. It's truly amazing how time flies when your relaxing.
Another day of traveling rounded out the trip...and I'm back in the winterland of Sacramento.
-Mahalo
Thursday, December 1, 2005
28 today :)
Happy Birthday to Me
Happy Birthday to Me
Happy Birthday dear Wingnut
Happy Birthday to Me
YIPPEE!!! And many more.... on channel 44.... I smell like a monkey...and look like one too. (he he)
Happy Birthday to Me
Happy Birthday dear Wingnut
Happy Birthday to Me
YIPPEE!!! And many more.... on channel 44.... I smell like a monkey...and look like one too. (he he)
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Words for the Holidays
With my new gym membership, I'm hoping to become a regular at the yoga classes.... I started last night (building up core strength for digesting Turkey!).
The yoga instructor at my gym leaves us with a reading after each class. Last night's message was very applicable to our lives all year round, but should specifically be remembered during the holidays when we experience crowds at the mall, minor family stresses, etc. She read from Mother Theresa that if everyone in the world smiled more it would be a better place.
I've believed this for a long long time, and I ask you (fellow readers) to pass on some smiles this holiday season. They are contagious :) See, I made you smile right? All the silly traditions we have are for fun, so enjoy them!
:) :) :) :) HAPPY SMILES :) :) :) :) HAPPY THANKSGIVING :) :) :) :)
The yoga instructor at my gym leaves us with a reading after each class. Last night's message was very applicable to our lives all year round, but should specifically be remembered during the holidays when we experience crowds at the mall, minor family stresses, etc. She read from Mother Theresa that if everyone in the world smiled more it would be a better place.
I've believed this for a long long time, and I ask you (fellow readers) to pass on some smiles this holiday season. They are contagious :) See, I made you smile right? All the silly traditions we have are for fun, so enjoy them!
:) :) :) :) HAPPY SMILES :) :) :) :) HAPPY THANKSGIVING :) :) :) :)
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Countdown to T-Day
Turkey Day is almost here…. Are you ready for Pumpkin Pie? Are you ready for stuffing (no oysters this year)? Are you ready for Turkey. I know of one Turkey, named Marco Pollo, which will be cooked up in gourmet style.
I baked an apple pie with the apples we picked (from the bin) at Apple Hill. There really isn’t that much bad stuff in an Apple Pie… sugar mainly. Is Crisco bad? The crust came out pretty darn well if I do say so myself. You’re supposed to eat fruit for breakfast right? Apples are fruit and sugar :)
So..the motto for the holidays is this: If it’s home made, it has no bad calories! In fact, it would be an insult to the chef not to eat home baked pies and cookies. Chow Down!!!
I baked an apple pie with the apples we picked (from the bin) at Apple Hill. There really isn’t that much bad stuff in an Apple Pie… sugar mainly. Is Crisco bad? The crust came out pretty darn well if I do say so myself. You’re supposed to eat fruit for breakfast right? Apples are fruit and sugar :)
So..the motto for the holidays is this: If it’s home made, it has no bad calories! In fact, it would be an insult to the chef not to eat home baked pies and cookies. Chow Down!!!
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
WWW: Wild Wingnut Weekend
It's Friday already! Let me catch you up on last weekend so you'll be ready for the stories from this weekend...
Last weekend was centered around getting together with some of my best girlfriends. (-A- fled to the mountains knowing there would be a gaggle of girls in the house.)
You wouldn't believe the WILD activities we did!
-Dinner in Old Sacramento followed by serious chatting
-Lazy Saturday morning
-Saturday Afternoon trip to Apple Hill
-Evening Take-Out from PF Chang's accompanied by Season 3 of The Gilmore Girls! We watched until midnight (it filled in so many gaps for me!) and called "lights out".
-Sunday morning at the Fox & Goose for breakfast
-Sunday afternoon involved continued viewing of Season 3 (solo... the gals had to get back...)
The weekend got very exciting at 3pm on Sunday when D called with extra tickets to the King's game for that night. A made it home from the mountains just in time and we cheered on the team! They lost that game... but it was a fun Sunday night :)
Tuesday we went to another King's game where they won!! But, the important part was that I had garlic fries and a churro. I had to go up and down all kinds of scary stairs to get to the pretzel stand.. and it was the last period of the game so snack shops were closing up. Lucky me, I got the last churro! It really did make my day :)
Today, I did the lunch time run to pick up Harry Potter tix. Several co-workers and I are seeing the 6:30 pm show. As I told the ticket selling lady, "yes, these tickets are for ALL adults".
Last weekend was centered around getting together with some of my best girlfriends. (-A- fled to the mountains knowing there would be a gaggle of girls in the house.)
You wouldn't believe the WILD activities we did!
-Dinner in Old Sacramento followed by serious chatting
-Lazy Saturday morning
-Saturday Afternoon trip to Apple Hill
-Evening Take-Out from PF Chang's accompanied by Season 3 of The Gilmore Girls! We watched until midnight (it filled in so many gaps for me!) and called "lights out".
-Sunday morning at the Fox & Goose for breakfast
-Sunday afternoon involved continued viewing of Season 3 (solo... the gals had to get back...)
The weekend got very exciting at 3pm on Sunday when D called with extra tickets to the King's game for that night. A made it home from the mountains just in time and we cheered on the team! They lost that game... but it was a fun Sunday night :)
Tuesday we went to another King's game where they won!! But, the important part was that I had garlic fries and a churro. I had to go up and down all kinds of scary stairs to get to the pretzel stand.. and it was the last period of the game so snack shops were closing up. Lucky me, I got the last churro! It really did make my day :)
Today, I did the lunch time run to pick up Harry Potter tix. Several co-workers and I are seeing the 6:30 pm show. As I told the ticket selling lady, "yes, these tickets are for ALL adults".
Friday, November 11, 2005
Vets!!
Happy Veteran's Day!
My company asked me to participate in "one minute of silence" today at 11am to remember those who served for our country. Other than that "one minute", I'll be working hard the rest of the day. Downtown Sacra-tomato is pretty dead with the lack of government employees bustling around.
In other news, I've got a gym membership!!! Those pants will start fitting me again soon :) New favorite gym activity: Hip Hop classes! Okay, I've only been once, and I looked like the tall, lanky white girl in spandex that can't dance. Next week, I'll wear workout pants and a hat to fit in with the hip hop style... Oh, you should see me shake my booty! It's a real workout. No, seriously, we had to shake our actual booties!
Happy Friday :)
My company asked me to participate in "one minute of silence" today at 11am to remember those who served for our country. Other than that "one minute", I'll be working hard the rest of the day. Downtown Sacra-tomato is pretty dead with the lack of government employees bustling around.
In other news, I've got a gym membership!!! Those pants will start fitting me again soon :) New favorite gym activity: Hip Hop classes! Okay, I've only been once, and I looked like the tall, lanky white girl in spandex that can't dance. Next week, I'll wear workout pants and a hat to fit in with the hip hop style... Oh, you should see me shake my booty! It's a real workout. No, seriously, we had to shake our actual booties!
Happy Friday :)
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