Memorial Day

Thank You.

Vegas: Out on the Town

My wonderful boss, Cheryl, was in the US last week for a training that she put on in San Diego Monday thru Wednesday. She had been given tickets to see "O" at the Bellagio for Friday night and tickets for a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon Saturday morning. Since she had never been to Las Vegas before Susan and I volunteered to go with her. Not to mention that I just love these women and a night out together was sure to be a blast.

So Friday we left the office at 2pm and headed to the airport for our 3:20pm flight to Las Vegas from Orange County. We checked into our suite at the Rio and then Cheryl headed out for the Bellagio to see "O" and Susan and I headed to Caesar's Palace for some shopping.



The Susan & I went to the Bellagio to meet back up with Cheryl. We waited at the bar near the lobby and I had my new favorite martini...the Cantaloupe Martini.

Once we found Cheryl we took some pics in the lobby.

Then we went to The Palms for our 10:30pm dinner reservations at N9NE. The dinner was wonderful! And we think we might have seen Nikki Hilton. After making a few more stops along the strip we went back tot he Rio to hangout and talk.

We didn't go to sleep until after 3:30am and then were up again at 7:00am so Cheryl could have her helicopter ride and Susan and I could catch a plane home.

It was a fabulous trip that I will not soon forget!

Farewell PJ

Today I said good-bye to a faithful companion and trusted friend. She chose me when I was just 8 years old and has been there for me ever since. Always ready with a snuggle when I need one. Always willing to show her love and unconditional acceptance of me from childhood thru adulthood. I praise God for putting her in my live and for all she shared and taught. I feel at peace with the timing, but letting go is never easy.

On the Move Again

We have enjoyed the last 7+ month renting the house in Ladera Ranch, but it does have a few flaws. One - no cell phone coverage. Dave has some coverage, but my phone has none. And since it is a Company phone I can't switch providers. With my boss in Australia and stores all over the country using my house line is not cost effective. Two - our furniture doesn't fit. Because the 1st floor is divided up into small sections it feel extra small. We ended up having to put the piano in the dining room, the dining room table in the family room near the kitchen and the TV with sectional sofa in the formal living way near the entry. And with such a short lease we just never felt motivated to really unpack everything and make it feel like home. So once the least ended we began the search for an alternative.

This past weekend we moved to a single story older home in Mission Viejo. It has a very open floor plan with a bright feel and great cell phone coverage. Our furniture fits perfectly and is already feeling very homie. Since it is smaller the rent is less too! So with the savings we will be able to get a housekeeper to come in every other week to help us out with the cleaning and give Dave and I more time to spend together on the weekends.

When we get the place organized and box free I will post some pics.

Happy May Day

Easter Pics

I forgot my camera, but here are a few that other people took. I'll be able to post more once I get them from Debbee (Dave's sis).

Happy Easter!

Христос поднялся!

Contentment

So a couple of weeks ago on a Thursday night during Community Group when discussing how we could pray for eachother I asked for my friends to pray for contentment for me. I was feeling really stressed and basically not content. Work had been really tough over the last few months and I thought it would be undercontrol by then and when it wasn't I wasn't happy. I didn't feel like I should leave since I could see light at the end of the long tunnel, but just wasn't sure if I could make over all the obsitcles obstructing my view of the light.

The following Sunday Dave suugested we go to church at Pacific Hills (as we still are between church homes since SCU ended). That morning I didn't really 'feel' like going to church and then we ended up going to the wrong building and getting lost. At that point I suggested that we just forget it and go to breakfast, but Dave wouldn't give in. We finally found the church and were only 5 minutes late. We sang a few songs and then the teaching pastor began to speak. His first words, "Today we are going to talk about contentment". So ok God, I'm listening, was my next thought.

By Monday evening I felt completely different. It seems that I was waiting until 'this' slowed down and 'that' was finished before I thought I could be content. And since I didn't feel like the reason I didn't feel content was because I wasn't were God wanted me, I knew that I needed to make the decision to be content in the moment. I needed to enjoy those obsitcles and learn and grow from the journey.

Now 2 weeks later, I am still really happy where I am.

Thank you, Lord, for hearing my prayers and answering!

Wicked!

The Untold Story of the Witches of OZ


A dear friend got Dave and I tickets to see Wicked! We went last night and absolutely LOVED it! It was simply amazing.

A beautiful and extremely clever story of friendship.


Megan Hilty as Glinda was hilarious!


And Eden Espinosa as Elphaba was brilliant - an unbelievable voice!


Loved the set. Loved the costumes. Loved all the little details.

Happy Birthday, Mommy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Relax

In light of the enormous hours I have been working and recent 12 days in a row stretch, the Group CEO and my boss insisted that I take a couple days off this week. So yesterday and today was spent relaxing. Yesterday I went to my Mom & Wendy's house to float in the pool and play with the animals. My dear friend Karen ended up joining me and then we went to a movie.

Today I rode Breezy in the morning after getting an oil change. Then I spent about 4 hours at Burke Williams Day Spa for complete relaxation.

Pics from Tuesday:

Playing with Wendy's bunny, Carmel




My Mom's Pug, Princess Pugsy


Mom & Wendy's minis playing together, Mikey & Cooper



Cooper giving a bow

Hobby Horse

Be Sure to order your 2007 Hobby Horse Spring Collection catelog. I am the cover girl!

www.hobbyhorseinc.com

Manager's Conference

I was in Scottsdale this past week for my Company's Annual Manager's Conference. The HR department puts it on so I was there to help make it run smoothly. And smoothly it ran; thanks to the team work of the most awesome HR team ever! After the conference officially ended on Wednesday we went on a jeep tour of the desert to help us unwind. It was amazing and unexpected; loved every minute. Then Thursday morning before heading to the airport I got to have an extremely enjoyable breakfast with my Uncle Scott and Aunt Coletta who live in Scottsdale.

The Group and US CEOs preparing to judge the 1st Annual Griller Thriller District Cook Off


The LA District asked me to join their team and here the judges are grading our creation


My team, The LA Shakers, showing off our dish (The Texas District won, btw)


My bosses showing off their Western Themed garb


Playing Blackjack at the Casino Night


The Awards Banquet






The most rock'n HR team ever!


The HR Team loaded up and ready for our jeep tour


Cheryl gets up close and personal with a Saguaro Cactus


The team posing for a group picture


My token wannabe photographer shot