Meeting, eating and rolling

Day 2 of our San Diego adventure meant meetings all day with some yummy food thrown in. Breakfast was done on the patio and it was COLD!! I thought California was supposed to be perfect weather! THIS is NOT perfect weather! THIS is FREAKIN COLD!

So we ate really fast and were all in our seats early. :)

And while lunch was still a little chilly - it was also VERY gorgeous.

Before dinner, the crew met for "Team Building". I hate team building. We listened to a motivational speaker that used Fire Walking as an example of how to be brave. So my overactive imagination spent the rest of the day fretting that our promised 'team building exercise' would be that. But thankfully it wasn't and thankfully it wasn't so bad.

It was a three part process. Each team was given a tricycle to build - the fastest team won. Then we were given items to use to decorate our bikes - the most creative team won. And finally, one person from each team got to race said bikes around the courtyard of the hotel - the fastest team won.

After our race, we were told the bikes were being donated to local children's charities which made us all say "awww!". Then they brought the kids out - and we all cried. Seriously, who gives a room full of women a bunch of liquor and then parades a bunch of cute little kids out?! Yeesh. The kids and their families got to have dinner with us - mostly the parents ate, the kids were too busy riding around the room. :) It's a beautiful thing.

It was a lovely day with no fire walking. ;)

Pepita Does San Diego...sort of

Pepita and I got to spend a few days in San Diego last week while we attended SkinMedica's annual sales meeting. We didn't actually SEE San Diego - we drove THROUGH San Diego....I think. We spent a few very cold days at the Rancho Bernardo Inn where I got to meet the people I've spent months emailing.

Here are a few highlights from day 1:

On the way to the airport! Pepita and I don't love early.

San Diego!! From the bus.

Our view. Not bad at all!

We had a long day traveling - Pepita needed a rest.

Apparently company gatherings mean open bar. Who knew?!

Night, night!

But wait! There's more.....

There's no crying in football...unless you're me

I'm not all that athletic. Big shock, I know. I also do not spend a large amount of time watching sports, I don't really care. My attention span is spastic. And I have irrational attachment issues and a very addictive personality.

But it's the playoffs and you can't go anywhere that a TV isn't tuned to the latest game.

Tonight we decide to try Capt' Benny's seafood. It's a sports bar shaped like a boat that has a TV hung on all the walls tuned in to the Saints/49ers playoff game. As Daniel talks about the teams and the playoffs, I immediately decide the 49ers should win. The Saints were just in the big game, it's the 49ers turn - and they're playing at home! How exciting for their fans! (Note how irrational my choice of team is based on: who's turn it is to win? who's beloved fans are filling the seats? who's colors will I look best in on Super Bowl Sunday when I attend the ONLY football party I ever attend? See? Irrational. I should also mention this loyalty usually only lasts until the next game I have to watch. I go through this process every preSuper Bowl game I end up viewing. )

So we watch the 4th quarter. And I'm a nervous wreck! I keep covering my eyes and getting all anxious for a team I've been watching for all of 5 minutes! The 49ers are leading until they aren't - which makes me cover my eyes and cringe. Seriously. Then they have some BEAUTIFUL plays and WIN!!

And I teared up. This makes my Beloved laugh. A lot. ("are you seriously crying?!" he says) Then I see the player who ran in the winning touchdown crying and that only increases my tears. I'm a sympathetic crier. And I get so excited for the local fans and the cute little coach and precious players who seem so excited!

Daniel offered to let me go sit in the car. :)

And this is just one example of why my attachment to sports is a bad idea. A very bad idea.

Although if the 49ers make it all the way to the big game - I have a pair of red shoes that will look just darling!

Until next time....

Coming soon!

Big Girl Job 2.0 will require some traveling in the next few weeks so me and this gal are hitting the road! Our first traveling adventure will take us to San Diego, California. Look out Cali! Pepita and I are coming your way!

Until next time.....

The Thunder Rolls

**And now I have Garth Brooks stuck in my head. Way to go T.

Atticus has moved in to teenagerdom. He rolls his eyes, sighs and refuses to sleep in his bed or smile for pictures. He now prefers MY spot on the couch - sometimes refusing to move even when I sit on him. Seriously. I SIT on him and he stays put. Hardheaded beast.

He is grown and he no longer needs us. This makes me sad.

In the wee hours of the morning, the heavens opened and thunder shook the house. I counted two more claps of thunder before I heard little puppy feet on our wood floor.

And then he was snuggled between us on the bed.

And I smiled...

....because maybe he does still need us.

And I realized - if we ever have children....

.....we're going to need a bigger bed. :)

Until next time....

To the Left - in Pictures!

Let me start by saying that had I had my left arm done first - the right arm would have never been fixed. The left arm has been a trial - from start to finish. I'm still waiting on the finish. Yes. A trial.

But I promised pictures so here you go.

Ready to go! I arrived at 10am like I was told. This is about 2pm. I'm STARVING.

Nurse #3 had no problem at all finding a vein. Bless her.

Ice to keep the swelling down, a knitting needle to help with the itching and a cuddly dog to help me heal.

Shower Items: Giant Cow Inseminating Gloves and Painters tape to secure it. Oh joy, oh delight! This is after the wrap came off. Apparently my left arm is allergic to the surgical tape. It's still red and itchy by the way. And apparently, my left nerve was more 'sensitive' than my right nerve. It's not handling being man handled very well. I still have little feeling in my first and third finger and have absolutely NO feeling in my middle finger.The Doctor did a poky test and seems to think the nerve isn't dead - just really angry. Lovely. I'm typing this with my pinkie - no fun. I get to go to Physical Therapy at the end of the week, maybe that will help.

Here's hoping the finish line is in sight...

Until next time...

Hello 2012!

I've decided to forgo the resolutions - they only lead to disappointment. So I'm just gonna wing it. I'm taking on 2012 on a wing and a prayer and I'll see how things turn out in the end.

2011 was rough and I am ECSTATIC it's over.

Let's review and move on -

*Lost a job (this is bittersweet because while it was stressful - I saw it coming and it is by far the BEST thing to happen for me - so this is a toss up. It did provide several entertaining blogs so I guess it wasn't all that bad)
*Got two tickets - go me
*Wrecked my Judy car - again, go me
*Found out we owed The Man - I hate owing The Man
*Diagnosed a very sinking house and started plans on remodeling - heaven help me
*Had surgery on both hands - the Left is presenting several problems (blog to follow)

There are several other little annoyances but I've blocked them out. They are so last year.

So I had a spoonful of Black Eyed Peas and toasted to a new year.

Hello 2012, it's good to see you. Here's hoping we can be friends.

Until next time....