Merry Christmas!

Yes, yes that is a tiara on top. We didn't have a star!

Beth 'N Wayne

;)

Going to the Fair

Demolition Derby

Yummm...dinner.

Christmas Carol...in 3-D!

Camping at Bulldog Canyon, joined by Asia and Megan.

Cookie Exchange

I took the day off because I wasn't feeling 100%, maybe %95. It was a perfect opportunity to take lunch to my roommate at the library where she worked. I needed to get a little studying done and this was a perfect motivator to get me there. I purchased a thai chicken wrap from Paradise Bakery, got my free cookie and happily drove with the windows down enjoying the fall breeze.

With some determined, yet cumbersome, effort I gathered purse, laptop, book bag and lunch sack in arms and walked towards the building of books. I was stopped abruptly by a questioning stranger, "Do you have cookies in that sack?" I looked up to find a well-dressed man questioning the contents of my lunch. His age was difficult to determine because of his blessed African American heritage...pushing 50 was my guess.

It is at candid moments such as these that my truest self shines through my inhibitions. My response affirmed the cookie's existence with a prompt offering to give it to him. Although a Paradise Bakery cookie is a coveted treasure, I knew I could indulge in the halloween candy I had brought along to help me study. He accepted my offer and I began to awkwardly dig through the bag to recover his gift. He distracted me in my search with the following conversation that ensued:

Him: "How old are you?"
Me: "29"
Him: "Are you married?"
Me answering with some hesitation: "No"
Him: "Are you dating anyone?"
Me wishing that I was dating someone or at least a better liar: "No"
Him: "Can I give you my card?"
Me wondering what sort of business card this might be that would require such questions: "No"
Him: "Not interested?"
Me wishing that rejection was always this easy: "No"
Him: "Well, you are very pretty."
Me feeling flattered: "Thank you."

He walked away leaving both pride and cookie behind.

Nathan's Triathlon

4:30 am

6:00 am

6:26 am

6:28 am



Glad to be done! 2h 4 min 42sec

My cheering squad.

Tired, lots of eating to catch up on.

Glad to be done! This is Zach, he made me do it. I blame him for any resulting pain!!!

Disneyland 2009

My first trip back after a 15+ year absence. It was like I had never been before, everything seemed new to me!

Roommates, Megan and Chelsey.

Glad for the Dramamine on this one.

We stopped in California adventure, first time for me.

I screamed lots.

Tower of Terror was up there among my favorites. Kinda creepy!

This is a goofy picture.

Belle, she is my favorite.

Splash Mountain picture, no we didn't buy it...just snapped a pic of the pic.

Any guesses on what I am training for?

Mt. Baldy, AZ

This was a 17 mile hike through freezing cold rain, but worth every step for the view on top!

Brian Head, UT

Hyatt Family Reunion. I love these people!

California Redwoods

Breathtaking! Muir Woods.

The O2 certainly provided the needed natural high.

Everything looked like this, amazing!

We were lost looking for the beach when we came across this 7-11 on 7/11.

That meant free Slurpees!

Dinner at Bodega Bay

Driving along the Pacific Coast. This is my traveling buddy, Laurel :)

At first, you might think this is a trail, but you would be wrong...check out the sign!

Do you know what this is? Jessica Fletcher one lived here.

Mendicino, CA was the location of Murder She Wrote episodes. Although Cabot Cove Maine was the supposed town.

So, I am a big fan!

If you know me at all, you know that I faithfully watched Murder She Wrote many Sunday nights growing up. Okay, let's be honest...I have been known to play the old VHS re-run tapes.

Beautiful beach along Highway 1.

Yes, we drove our rental Jeep Patriot through this tree. With the side mirrors pulled in and only inches of room, we barely squeaked through.

My third night of fish, trout. First night was salmon and second swordfish. All delicious!

Laurel, contemplating the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids in her salmon.

Yes this is the trunk of a downed tree, huge!

It is at least greater than 5'9" in diameter.

Tree hugger.

Hugging this tree was a bit more difficult.

Me, glad to be outdoors.

Window shopping.

More window shopping. Laurel has always wanted a basset hound.

Ferndale Cemetery. Famous view from the top of the hill, very peaceful.

Check out this flower! I loved it.

We stayed at Benbow Inn our last two nights, just like Eleanor Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover many years ago. Our trusty rental car is pictured here. I was the lucky driver who got to drive through the curvey ocean coastal roads and wooded highways. It was a perfect vacation!