My blog is...

Three years old today! It is hard to believe that I have actually stuck with it for so long...

66H (in transition) out...

There is nothing like California sunshine...

So, I had another great trip out to California to se my bestie Danielle and Adian peanut. I spent the first day with my mom and she drove me over the hill to Capitola the next morning. Danielle and Adian met us at Mr. Toot's for coffee and a walk on the beach. Our little walk ended with Adian soaking wet in his clothes from running into the ocean and saying good-bye to my mom. Danielle, Adian and I spent the rest of the day tooling around. We met Ashlee (Danielle's sister) for lunch, took Adian to the "blue ball" park, then had dinner with David (Danielle's hubby) and Justin (Danielle's brother) at a great little Thai food joint.

Tuesday was the action-packed day of the trip... We took Adian to swimming lessons, ate at Hoffman's for breakfast, and then headed over to Monterey. Danielle took me to see the new parts of CHOMP (the hospital I use to work at, as well as the hospital she still works at), including the awesome new ER, where I saw a couple of people I worked with, then we went to Dennis the Menace park, where we all had fun on the Southern Pacific train and on the slides. After we tuckered Adian out at the park, we ate a late lunch at Tarpy's Roadhouse. We headed home to eat dinner with David and Ashlee. While the girls were cooking, I took a nice long run along the coast down to Natural Bridges and contemplated how much I miss living in California... Why people leave voluntarily is beyond me! After dinner, Danielle, Ashlee and I went out on the town. We hit the Fog Bank for a little karaoke, then headed to Fast Eddie's for a little pool. Ashlee is the only one of us who dosen't suck at pool... But we had fun anyhow with the help of a couple of pitchers of Newcastle... Ha-ha.

Wednesday, we slept in a little, ate at the Harbor Cafe, then went to the beach for a couple of hours before Danielle had to drive me back to the San Jose Airport. When we got to the beach they had these signs up warning us that the water was potentially contaminated... Of course, the first time I have been to the California coast in a year, and the water is contaminated! But... While we were there, the lifeguard took the signs down after she got a call from the health department. So it is nice to know that we were not playing around in contaminated water... Ha-ha. I know that you are marveling in my horrible ghost-like whiteness... I have been contemplating the tanning bed lately, but it is just SO carcinogenic, that I just don't think I can do it!

I was so sad to go back to the airport... I always am when I go home. It is really the only time that I regret joining the Army... Other than that, I go back to work tomorrow for a few days, then it is off to Columbus, Georgia for a few days to visit Maggie while she is home on leave from Germany and some other friends! I am beyond excited...

Well, it is SUPER late and I need to get to bed!

66H (in transition) out...

Two days until California... Again!

So I get to head back out to California again in a couple of days, this time to spend a few days with my bestest Danielle and Mr. Adian peanut. I am excited beyond belief! I can't wait to go to the beach and put my feet in the Pacific...

Anyhow, I just thought I would pop on, post a couple of cute Jinxy pictures and jot down a thought...

66H (in transition) out...

My little princess...

Yes, may I help you? I am trying to sun myself you know...

My goodness, where does the time go?

So, I didn't realize it has been so long since my last post... The last month or so has been a blur, just working, working, working and traveling a bit too. I guess I shall start where I last left off...

I was granted my Texas nursing license at the end of June, so when we get a little more staff in the ED, I can venture out and get a per diem job at one of the other hospitals here in El Paso. Additionally, Texas is a compact state, so when I get off of active duty, I can work in a variety of states without getting a license from that state. I am sitting pretty right now, because both Kentucky and Tennessee are compact states, and I am retaining my California license, so wherever I end up, I will be able to get a job pretty quick.

July was pretty uneventful, just working really. I did, however, solidify all of my plans for the San Antonio Rock 'n Roll Half-Marathon in November, as well as the World's Fastest 10K here in El Paso in October. Also, coming up in October is my friend Sarah's wedding in La Crosse, Wisconsin. I have never been to Wisconsin, so I am excited to go somewhere new. I guess the most exciting thing that happened in July ws the fact that the maintenance guys from my apartment complex had to come in and dismantle my toilet to figure out why it has been flushing weird ever since I moved in... Well, they discovered a whole messy tangle of copper wiring and some remnants of PVC piping stuck down the drain. They said it was probably left over from the construction of the complex, since it is still fairly new. Of course I had to photographically document it for everyone's viewing pleasure! Ha-ha.

Last week my dad flew me out to California for a little much needed R&R from my life... We had a great time catching up over coffee at Peet's in Willow Glen, and at Ridge Winery with a little La Villa Italian food and Paso Robles Zin. Pictured at left is part of the vineyard at Ridge, which is so beautiful and peaceful. It overlooks all of San Jose, Cupertino and Los Altos, and on a clear day, you can see for miles and miles... I also got to spend some good, quality time with my mom, my Auntie B and my little boy Monte while I was home... He is the most camera shy kitty ever! I had to get on the floor with him to even get close enough to grab him to get pictures! I just had to include one because he is so cute and for the split second that he was actually cooperative, the picture didn't turn out too badly. I miss him so much and can't wait to live someplace that he will be able to roam outdoors like the little hunter he is!

However, the piece de resistance of my mini-vacation was travelling through McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada... There are slot machines throughout the terminal, with an average of 24 slot machines every 3-4 gates. Why wait to get to the strip to lose your money? Ha-ha... It left me wondering if those that don't have quite that much money to blow just head to the airport to gamble, rather than the higher-priced casinos? Just a thought... Pictured is a woman that couldn't wait until after 10 am to start gambling... Notice her daughter intently paying attention to her mothers technique. I guess you can never start teaching them too early! Ha-ha.

So, there you have it. You are all caught up on the past month, or so of my life!

66H (in transition) out...