Whirlwind Weekend

Poor Erik worked Friday night and then drove here Saturday morning in time to leave for the whale watching. . . then after we got home from Long Beach, he still didn't get to sleep--but he did get to open his stocking! Yep, that's real Wisconsin Cheese he's holding. Cheese curds and whips, straight from the snowy tundra. Definitely worth the sleep deprivation. ;-DWe also got a pair of Hadleyware mugs from mom, which feel wonderfully homey.On Sunday morning we got up early and left for Fresno to meet Noelle and the Searls clan. On the way we saw a lovely rainbow right over the road!Also stopped for a glimpse of Pyramid Lake and at the Crystal Palace in Bakersfield only long enough for these two to meet up with their special friends.We had a yummy lunch at the Cheesecake Factory and then went to Starbucks to hang out and chat (as the gardens we wanted to tour were closed for renovations).We also returned a few things Andy & Noelle left in Altadena (don't you think green is his color?) ;-)
On Monday morning mom left. :-(

On a Boat!

We went to Long Beach today for a whale watching tour! I didn't really get great pictures (maybe April will share some), but had to post anyhow because it gives you an idea and it was so much fun.

We saw dolphins and sea lions (playing together!!)and several fin whales surfacing for air and showing off their dorsal fin.
It was a lovely day!
Had dinner at Bubba Gump's before heading back. Mmm... shrimp... :-D

Merry Christmas!

I'll post more later this week, but wanted to get some pictures up and wish everyone the joy of the season!

Our decorating this year was. . . makeshift. But we had fun!! There really wasn't room for a tree with all the folks staying here, so. . . here it is (lovely frosted ornaments courtesy of Susan!)
The best laid plans of mice & men. . . some snags in the visiting, but we rolled with it. Dad & Jackie did not end up coming--they both got really sick and stayed in Arizona to recover. Happily they are on the mend. As for the rest of the crew, April arrived on Friday night. . . Erik, Andy & Noelle all arrived around midday on Saturday.April & Ben have been in London working for the past month, so flew here before returning to Oklahoma. They say the jet lag wasn't bad. . . Mom had some trouble getting out here; her flight was canceled due to a BLIZZARD in Green Bay! So she spent the night and headed out on a new flight the following day. Whew! Unfortunately Erik had to head back to Bakersfield to work before she arrived, but we'll all get together next weekend before people start flying out.Trying out Ben's Xbox 360 . . . Ben with his favorite present--Wisconsin cheese!! :-DMom found this book for Ben Coffin . . . Christmas day went something like this:
Noelle giggles the entire household awake (except mom) at 5am, then promptly lays down to go back to sleep. . . we watch The Grinch (old animated version) and make breakfast. . . Mom gets up and we eat breakfast. . . open gifts, talk to Susie and to dad. . . play some card (and video) games. . . go for a short hike while the turkey cooks. . . dinner. . . Andy & Noelle head out. . . everyone wants a nap. . . play some cards (video if your name is Ben). . . eat leftovers. . .

Christmas dinner
I don't even feel like this is a coherent post, but I'm putting it up and going to bed.

I wish you all the peace and joy that Christmas is!!
Love you,
cmr

I intended to write a little post after last weekend, and here I am dashing it off quick before this one begins.

As many of you are bundling up and enjoying a winter wonderland... it seems fall has finally arrived here in California! I was excited to find a tree in the park this weekend that actually changed color--beautiful!!

Also did some Christmas baking... a wonderful elf helped me frost. :-)

Family starts arriving tonight--am looking forward to seeing everyone. A VERY Merry Christmas to you all!!

Much love,
christel

Solvang

Erik and I met in Solvang today--a nice day off after working the weekend. Solvang is a touristy little Danish town that reminded me very much of Door County! It was a beautiful day.

I stopped at an overlook on the way to look at Lake Something-or-Other. . . was wishing I had time to get down to the water and play for a bit. Very pretty.
But something better was waiting for me a little further on (and I DON'T mean Hans Christian Anderson!)The whole distance thing is wearing a little thin on us; it was REALLY good to spend the day together. We wandered around and looked in shops, ate Danish sandwiches on croissants, and met a wonderful little lady who sold us an engagement ring and our wedding bands (and took a bunch of pictures of us!)

After sizing and ordering the wedding bands and buying the engagement ring, Erik surprised me by dropping down on his knee right in the store and asking me to marry him again!

Visit!

The Searls family were all south of us for Thanksgiving and stopped in on the way back! They took us out for brunch at Roscoe's, gave us a tour of their motor home, and even stopped by the apartment. It was tons of fun to see everyone.
On a down note, I'd caught Erik's cold but didn't know it... he was better, but I managed to pass it along to both Noelle and Andy--I got hit later that day. Spent yesterday sleeping, drinking apple juice and feeling sorry for myself, but am on the road to recovery. :-)

Reading List

I just finished a great book recommended by Ben, who read it after April recommended it.

State of Fear
by Michael Crichton

Some pretty interesting data, especially with Gore's Inconvenient Truth getting so much publicity. The actual story is a tad weak in parts, but I found it very thought-provoking, environmentally, historically and in regard to the university/academic atmosphere.

I highly recommend it--great discussion book!

Giving Thanks, Part Deux

What a lot of things there are to be thankful for this year--may we never take our blessings for granted! Spent a lovely Thanksgiving with Erik, Patrick & Debra... and Chuck (Patrick & Debra's new dog).

Giving Thanks

I'm so thankful for all of you.
So very thankful.

Much love from,
christel

Morro Bay

We were visiting Patrick & Debra this weekend, and took a little day trip up to Morro Bay--a pretty spot! This first picture was actually near Pismo... Erik was nice enough to stop and let me take a picture. Check out the fog! It was so neat looking.

Next time we need to plan a bit more time for exploring, but we had a nice lunch of clam chowder at a fun little spot on the bay and watched a seal swimming around. Oh! And looked at the big rock! It was lovely to be outside in the sun and on the water. Reminded me a bit of the county. :-)

Gee, I really love him, and...

Yep. That's right.

We're gonna get married. :-D

Small, simple wedding in Santa Maria at the end of March... some sort of picnic in WI when we get there this summer (July?). I know that's not enough for the detail-hounds out there, but... :-D

Oh, and did I mention... :-D

:-D

Yay for visit!!

On Saturday, Erik & I drove north... Noelle & Andy drove south... and somewhere in-between, we met!We had a lovely lunch and then drove up to the foothills and spent the afternoon in a park. It was so good to see them.
On Sunday, we saw our first real-live roadrunner! The picture isn't good, but it sure was fun to see (note how it is NOT tall with blue wings... I'm not sure Warner Bros. ever actually SAW the bird they were drawing).We also had a wonderful dinner with Erik's friends Steve & Laura!

I'm so tired tonight, I think that's all I'm writing.

Love to everyone,
cmr

Job Shift

Is it November already??

I'm starting a new job tomorrow! And before you start to sputter about not being in the loop, it's only as of yesterday. So you have about as much warning as me. :-D

I will still be working for Target, but managing the Starbucks in the store. Tomorrow and next week will be a race to get as much training as possible before the current manager leaves. I'm excited about this new adventure!

In other news, Erik & I are going to meet up with Noelle & Andy this weekend in Merced. Can't wait!

Life is moving fast these days--will post again shortly. In the meantime, love to you all.
cmr

Special Someone

Someone special was here this weekend; we had all sorts of fun. And as you'll be seeing/hearing more about him, I thought I'd "officially" introduce him here. :-)

This is Erik.

He is sweet and honest and silly and kind and loving and interesting and fun and... (happy sigh)... I think you get the idea. :-)

In other news, Ben just got back from gallivanting about Oklahoma, visiting April & Ben, the Coffins, old friends, and attending Jean & Jody's Big Party. He's trying to get back on his sleep schedule now, and we're both fighting some small but persistent germs.

Glorious Day Off

It really doesn't get much better than this....

Spent the morning reading in bed... finished "My Year of Meat" which I enjoyed very much...

Ben & I met Erik (good friend we both know from gaming) in Santa Clarita and had lunch and a wonderful afternoon hanging out and chatting...

Stopped for a peek at a bike shop and then a little scenic detour on the way home....

Then dinner and a movie (Thai & Stardust)... both most enjoyable...

Followed by browsing in Barnes & Noble til closing time... left with a Starbucks iced raspberry mocha in hand, as well as a game from college days (Shut the Box, Sal!)...

BLISS!

She's on the Move!

Noelle was here!

She's moving to Northern California, and stopped to visit us on her way... left WI on Monday and drove to Golden, CO... spent all day Tuesday with her good friend Erin. Then Wednesday she drove here--arrived about 10pm (PST). We had all day Thursday....
We took her on a short hike to a little waterfall... the water was LOW, but still enough for a cold dip!

We played some games, hung out, and went to see Transformers... and the day was gone! Below you can see them at my and Ben's computers... you can see that we stare at each other through the wall!
This morning we went to breakfast at Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles (one of the chain that was in Pulp Fiction). We had a very filling breakfast... chicken & cheese omlette with a waffle! :-D


The time went really fast, but it was so good to be together.

Yes... her car is a leeetle full. ;-D