California dreamin'........

 

Spent the weekend, child free with my amazing husband. Ahhhh.........

No easy feat though....
It was only three days and two nights but my anxiety level always heightens because i am leaving my dearest most wonderful sweet friend with our three crazy girlies.  While she always claims they are great and what a good time they have, i know it is not easy.  I am their Mamma for crying out loud. :-)  Oh well, you get over it pretty fast when the thought of being alone with your husband for two nights is dangling in front of you.

Nearly missed my flight on Friday morning.  Switched purses before heading out the door and could not find my car keys for the life of me and should've given up a lot sooner and just hunted for the spare instead.  As i am frantically driving to the airport with the lovely glow of perspiration on my face, i am calculating in my head the difference i would have to pay if i miss my flight versus just biting the bullet and parking directly at the airport's overnight parking garage, which you know my friends is...EXPENSIVE!  Bit the bullet and thank goodness because guess whose name was being called over the PA?  Yes, mine....as i am running, injured mind you (which is a whole other story) to the gate.  I make it.  The flight attendant greets me warmly and says, 'We've been waiting for you'.  Yes...I KNOW!  I am flying on Southwest and they have open seating so as i board all i can see open are middle seats.  My eyes quickly find two of the smallest non-chatty type looking strangers on the plane and i apologize profusely for distrubing them so i can finally sit down and breathe.....

I am starving.  Scarf down the smallest bag of peanuts and a diet coke and dive into a book that i've been meaning to read for a long a time.  Mile Markers by Kristen Armstrong, given to me by very own 'sweat sister' and incredible running partner, Amy.  I am only half way through and i love it.  This book has made me realize even more, that running is no longer just exercise for me.  It has turned into a passion and i know it is because i am surrounded by such wonderful women who have the same infatuation.  Running is therapy.  We talk, we laugh, we cry or we say nothing....because just being together is comforting and so encouraging.......

After 22+ years, my husband can still make my heart skip a beat, even when he pulls up in the cheap rental car that does not have automatic locks and you have to manually role down the windows.  Who cares...i am with the love of my life and he is going to take me on an adventure!
We head over to Half Moon Bay and eat our picnic lunch that he has brought at the Ritz.  Yes, the Ritz!  We found a little corner of God's heaven on earth, took in His glory and i drank i beer!  Can you believe i drank a beer?  It was delicious. 
Rode over to Santa Cruz to peek at the boardwalk but realized the beach was calling us, so we headed back to Half Moon Bay to open that bottle of wine and snack on the cheese we had picked up earlier.   We then had dinner at this great little place called the Mirimar, on the beach, outdoors, with our own little fire pit and cushioned bench to snuggle up on.  It was the perfect way to end the evening.

View from our little piece of heaven on earth.

Cheers!

Could not even begin to capture how awesome it was to witness kite surfing for the first time.
I don't think i ever would....but, never say never!

Santa Cruz boardwalk.

Even one of the ugliest birds can be lovely....

No joke....on the road, directly in front of us at the stop light.  Can you see the cigarette in his right hand?

Awesome......

Awesomely handsome......
Love that surfing is not just for the young.  Probably 50% of the surfers were of this season in life.

Slept in a little and headed down to Fisherman's Wharf to experience their farmer's market.  Oh my!!!  It was huge and every person in San Francisco must've been there.  The fruit and veggies were mouthwatering and if i lived close enough, this could easily be my Saturday morning ritual.

My first time seeing a purple pepper.

Harmonicas....

Spoons....

No matter what they playing......
they were having fun!

Hopped back in the car and headed across the Golden Gate Bridge to enjoy the views and make our way to Sausalito, which we have dubbed the Gig Harbor of San Francisco.

Now this guy has the right idea!

Waiting for our table....

Courtesy of the I-Phone.
 

Our reflection in the picture window....
Just like our girls...doesn't like his photo taken either.

How on earth?
These are not glued.  I witnessed the wind knocking them over.

And the man behind the balancing act.

There's nothing like a good old fashion Schwinn.

Took a little rally nap and then headed out to Jeff's Gala for school.  Nothing like getting fancied up and having a handsome man on your arm to make you feel like the most special girl in the world.

 

I am a blessed girl!



No official photographer this year...it was me! :-)
 

Do i really look this ridiculous when i take photos? :-)

Berkeley has quite a few characters who hang out on the strip all day long.  This is one that is there every single time i've gone.  His sits in the same spot and journals on spiral note pad for hours on end.  Sunday as we were leaving i stopped by and asked what he wrote about.  His genre seemed to sci-fi fiction.  He was pleasant, shook my hand and introduced himself as James Armstrong and said to look for him on the best seller list.
You never know......

This was last year's photo. 
You've got to give him a little credit, he is creative.

Last and final stop before getting on the plane.
Experienced our first In-n-Out Burger and friends, it was fabulous!
Look at this menu.  That is why you are In and Out!!!

I am refreshed and ready for a new week begin.
A sweet little family and two senior girl photos are on my horizon for the week.  Need photos?  I might be able to squeeze you in.