John Wayne

That's John Wayne, one of our 'cats'.  He was a gift from Mom to B but now he sits on top of our refrigerator.  I had a REALLY, REALLY bad day at work and when I unpacked my lunch, this is who I found :)

 

B certainly knows how to brighten my day :)

Big Bear Getaway

At the dealership where B works, if you have been there for three years, you have access to the company's cabin in Big Bear, CA.  One of his buddys got the cabin for the weekend and invited us along.  We headed up in the Focus and so glad we bought chains!  Made it the whole way up except the road the cabin was on!  She just couldn't make it up the little hill!

 

My handy man!

 

 

She got braces!  :)

Then the driveway was all snowed in!  So the guys dug out enough where we could park while waiting on the snow plow.....

 

And the cabin:

 

Headed into the town of Big Bear to walk around - super cute!

 

It was a super quick trip and I didn't take many pictures but....

we had a fun time and would go back!  

 

 

Our "FIRST" Valentines!

Happy Valentines Day!

 

Even the skeleton in the hallway was ready to celebrate :)

 

This was our 'first' valentines together since we met in 2007!

Separated because of school, military, and then traveling for work....we had a special dinner at home, just the two of us :)

 

Caesar salad, porter house steaks, lobster tails, wine, and chocolate covered strawberries :)

So yummy and lovely to be together!

Love you B!

 

Slater's 50/50

We went with Jose (B's buddy from work) and his girlfriend, Maggie, to Slater's 50/50 restaurant.  Known for the 50% ground beef and 50% ground bacon burger!  This place LOVES bacon. You can get this burger with baconaise, bacon salt, a bacon brownie, and even a maple bacon milkshake!  The place is very popular and we had to wait an hour and fifteen minutes for our table!  And that was before 6pm!
Since it was about a 45min drive for us, we stuck it out!

I was really unsure about the whole 50/50 thing and wanted to try the turkey burger but, you gotta try it once!  So B and I split a burger and designed it ourselves - it was HUGE!!!

 

This is only my half!!!

Then for the table we ordered fries, panko fried mac-n-cheese balls (sounds yummy as I LOVE my mac-n-cheese but not so great....) and the famous vampire dip:  artichoke, cheese, and lots of garlic!  It was delicious!

 

Even the ketchup for the fries was bacon infused and had little bits o bacon in it!

Personally, it was bacon overload for me and if we were to go back, I'd get something different :)

We also had the bacon brownie but it was odd - I'll leave bacon to a breakfast food for me!

You know you're a GA girl.....

when you wear your boots and drive the F-150 in LA traffic to work!

Parrots? Yes, Wild Parrots!

Moving to a new part of the country always comes with a learning curve:  climate, traffic, lifestyles, but wildlife?!  Yes, peacocks and even skunks have become a normal part of our days now.  I pass the flock(?) of peacocks as I pull out of the apartment and if unlucky that day, get a big whiff of skunk.  They certainly look cute but, woof! 

And usually on weekend mornings, nature's alarm clock goes off with the nosiest birds I've ever heard!  It took me a while to understand what they were but I never would have guessed parrots!  Yes!  The bright green birds!  Parrots!

We've seen them around - they love this one tree a street over, aren't we lucky?  But I've never been able to get a picture, until now - but warning:  it's far away and not very good.  B and I were leaving the grocery store when I heard commotion in the air and sure enough, a whole bunch of parrots were swarming around the tree -  bet they were just eyeing my groceries!

 

Apparently, there are several different kinds in the area.  Talk about a bird watchers paradise!  Peacocks, parrots, and sparrows!  You can read about them here:  http://natureali.org/parrot_project/suburban_jungles.htm

Like the article says, guess we're living in a suburban jungle!

2012. Bring it.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

My first post of the new year and it's almost February.  I know!  Crazy how time flies when you're busy and having fun ;)

Work has drastically picked up with the new park on the horizon.  Our team is growing daily and I've been asked to apply for my Chinese Visa - might be headed to Asia sometime in 2012!  That's exciting and scary but we can't wait to see what new adventure could head our way!

Brandon is busy working too at Sierra Dealership.  He has been moved from the lube rack and is now the apprentice tech for Subaru.  The dealership is even paying for his classes to become a certified Subaru tech!  Go B!  And for a little icing on the cake, if you've worked for the dealership 3 or more years, you can enter into the company raffle for the company cabin (5 bedrooms) in Big Bear, CA.  B's buddy who works there got the cabin for mid-February and invited us along!  No expenses except for food and beverages - even a maid service after leaving.  Hooray!  We are excited to get away!

I'm happy to report that my hand is beginning to feel better.  After lots of therapy and not much progress, my doctor decided to give me a cortisone shot in my hand.  I made sure B went with me to the appointment as I was terrified!  I was shaking the whole time in the office before he even left to get the shot!  Let me tell you, everything you hear is true - it hurt like the dickens!  I was screaming that my hand was going to explode and B kept telling me it looked normal, oh well.  It's been over a week and I'm starting to feel a bit more normal.  Hoping this trend keeps up and I'm back to 100% soon!  It has been since last August......uh!

You can't talk about a new year without touching on goals.  These were my goals for 2011:

1. read one new book a month - my new Kindle should help, thanks Mom!  :)

I don't think I hit the one book a month club but I did read:  Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert.  The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown. Angels & Demons - Dan Brown.  The Help - Kathryn Stockett.  Veganist - Kathy Freston.  Skinny Bitch - Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin.  The last two must be a California thing :)

2. update the blog at least once a week - thought this would happen more when I was posting about the more odd things I'm learning at work but in reality, I can't post a lot about work....will have to update more about us!  And work when I can.

Hmmm.....I'll continue this goal for this year - I really need to be better about it!  Then maybe my posts won't be super long or take me days of updating with 20 posts!  On-going.....

3. take more pictures

Agreed.  To be continued.....

4. sketch, draw, and paint more

Yes.  Once hand is healed.  And when I feel the artistic moment upon me :)

5. share the above - my friend at work, Liz, does speed paintings everyday and posts them online.  I love this idea and would love to say I'd do it too but I know once a week seems more realistic.  I'll start there and see where it goes :)

Will share on the blog when I have something to share :)

6. exercise more regularly and stay heart healthy!

I was on a roll with this before the hand - the exercise anyway.  B and I already eat pretty healthy on a normal basis.  To be definitely continued.....

So here we go 2012:

1.  Read as much as possible!  Already finished book #1:  The Pioneer Woman.  So good!  So funny!  Easy read!  Highly recommended!  And have 3 books lined up on the manufacturing industry in China!  Oh what fun :)

2.  Update the blog as much as possible!

3.  Take more pictures!

4.  Draw and share when able!

5.  Exercise and keep eating healthy!

A year of new opportunities, new jobs, new projects, adventures on the horizon,  and lots of love!  

2012, bring it!