Staycation 2011

We decided to have a staycation instead of traveling this summer. Initially, I was a little bummed. I had my heart set on going somewhere new, but after I got used to the fact that I was going to be able to sleep in my own bed, get up whenever I wanted, not have to hassle with travel details and STILL be able to go exploring, I was pretty excited.

The first few days of our vacation were spent taking care of sick pupperoos (see this post on the Coneheads), and that was kind of a nightmare. 

Sunday, I got to travel up the coast a bit to big ol' Los Angeles to visit my dear friend Amy, who I only get to see normally once a year. We had a lovely time exploring Hollywood (which is dirty and much less cool than I expected it to be), eating sushi and playing at the beach!

Early in our staycation, Tony and I went to the San Diego Safari Park (i.e. The Wild Animal Park), which is about 3 miles from our house. I love animals. Maybe if I wasn't so squeamish, I could have been a vet. Alas, I am a scientist instead. 

Bonsai Gardens:

"What you lookin' at?"

We also celebrated our 4th anniversary (woot!) by going on a dinner cruise around the harbor (thanks to Tony's parents for giving us an awesome gift!). It was probably one of the happiest days I've had in a long time. The dinner was excellent (fresh salad, steak, stuffed snapper, and chocolate mousse cheesecake!), and the peacefulness of the water was totally memorable.

 

Being goofy:

Tony outdid himself in anniversary presents! I woke up to find he had snuck out and bought me a dozen roses, and then he bought me a lovely diamond ring. HOW LUCKY AM I, PEOPLE!??!

Ugh. My hand looks freckly and fat here. Don't judge. 

We also were able to work around the house some, which was necessary, and kind of fun! I've really started to enjoy gardening as a means of relieving stress. There's just something so satisfying about pulling weeds. I'm sure there's a metaphor for my life in there somewhere, though I'm still trying to nail it down...

Our front flowerbed area, full of cockscombs, tall grass and rosemary plants:

Cockscombs! Or, brainplants, as I like to call 'em. 

Ahh, we now have many fun memories of our first staycation! Thanks again to Tony's parents for our lovely cruise!

Tony on the Lawnmower

Well, the title pretty much sums it up...

Our lawnmower is from 1974. That's 11 years older than me, and 9 years older than Tony.

The reason we have such an old lawnmower: 1) It was cheeeaaaap. 2) It's small enough to fit into our front upper lawn, and can go past our air conditioner to get to the back yard and storage shed.

Tony's such a cut-up...

But that's what I love about him!

Christmas 2010

Christmas was spent in California this year. It's not a bad place to spend Christmas--just different. Christmas is definitely a time best spent with family, and being so far away can be isolating at times.

BUT, we are making our own traditions. Like buying a new ornament every year, and going to watch a movie on Christmas day.

Ed and Ralph helped us celebrate too...they like the new puppy dog welcome sign Tony's parents gave us!

Ed is the one with the ribbon.

Did you know Ed was an alien? Photographic evidence below.

Kee also enjoys Christmas--can't you tell?

Ralph's givin' me his best puppy dog eyes. It helps me forget Crappaggedon 2010, which I'll have to tell you about in person if you don't already know. Let's just say it was bad enough to make Tony vomit, and for me to dry heave continuously for about 15 minutes.

All lit up!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season!

Around the house

We've had a lot to do around here in the past few weeks, which is why I'm so awful at keeping you all updated.

Also, I had a quick, wonderful jaunt to New Orleans to visit a dear friend. I love Jackson Square!

We now have a lush, green lawn. Unfortunately, that lush, green-ness is not due to grass. It's due to weeds. We'll take whatever we can get :).

They look like little alfalfa sprouts!

Also, I saw this guy outside recently. What in the world.

I've been frantically trying to get the house ready for Thanksgiving and for Tony's parents to visit. Even though we've lived in the house since July, as of two days ago, there was not ONE picture/art anything aside from the TV hanging up on the walls.

Augh!

Well, we fixed up the guest room, so now it at least looks nice instead of a barren cell!

Instead of covering up the fireplace with an old wood palet, we decided to buy a real fire-place cover--a nice touch to the living room!

We're still working on hanging up family photos and other art we have collected over the years, hopefully it (along with a thorough cleaning and shopping for the Thanksgiving holiday) will get done before this Wednesday!