just jill...

it's just so me...

"Bite me..."

gassy...

"And we thought we had it bad..."
(click to read it better)

june twenty-first...

Happy First Day of Summer...

an all american summer...

Some fun times are coming our way... I haven't talked much about my cousin's husband, Major Joseph and the fact that he has been in Iraq fighting for our country since October. I mean I have mentioned him in general here a few times, but not about the fact that he has been gone, serving, sacraficing, fighting. But, "Joey B. is coming home..." (not really sure where the B comes from seeing as their last name starts with a K...) I know his wife, my cousin Amy-Lou and their 3 daughters (who have also been sacraficing by the way...) are over the moon excited for his return and it will be a grand 2 weeks full of family time, sunshine and hopefully a kereoke session or two. We can't wait!!

The big D. I also just found out that I have get to go to Dallas for a 3 day training in July... My beloved Dallas, It's only been 10 months since we parted, but I have grown fond of you since our break-up. I especially miss my dear friends that I came to know and love the last few years there. I can't wait, we've decided to go for the weekend as well and party down some too. I especially can't wait to hit a few of my old foodie spots and a mall or two. It ain't all just cowboy boots and big hair there you know...

We were also invited to an August wedding up in Lake Placid, NY near TL's old hometown... We are going to attempt to get up there for it, but we're still working on that one. We'll see.

Other than that, this summer is breezing right along. The hot days here in West Texas are a coming, so good thing I have a day job where the AC works full blast.

back from the happiest place on earth...

I've been back from Cali for some time now, but have just been in a haze of glory from all the fun we had... The ocean was wonderful, we celebrated our anniversary, we got to relax and enjoy each other's company, and seeing family pretty much rounded it all out to make this a fabulous trip.



Laguna "Main" Beach...


We took daily walks to the beach, nightly strolls for dinner and cocktails and pretty much soaked up all the Laguna Beach we could. It's very quaint and charming. Our hotel was really cute and in the perfect location. It seems Memorial weekend is sort of their "kick off" weekend for the summer season so it wasn't croweded and we felt like we sure fit right in.



Out on the town...


We went to our old church; Saddleback Church on the Sunday we were there... It sure has grown in the last 10 years. It used to be in a tent, now Pastor Rick (of the Purpose Driven Life fame...)has grown this place into a community. I enjoy his candor, straight forwardness and jolly attitude, but seeing all the growth however wonderful it is for the regular church goers, it seemed a bit overgrown for my taste. Hopping on the "trolly" to get from our parking lot to the sanctuary left me feeling like we had just pulled into Disneyland not church. The trolly driver even greeted us with a few "jokes of the day..." Naaa, not for me.


Saddleback Church...



The last few days of our trip we spent down in Temecula at my brother's house. Spending time with my neice and nephews is always a big treat for me, and this trip left me just wanting more time with them. We hung out, went to horseback riding lessons and then one day geared up the Limo and headed to the Temecula Wineries for another round of wine tasting... What a fun day that was.


a girl on her horse... Making some smores... and gearing up for wine...



Temecula, California Wineries... My two favs; South Coast and Ponte Family...


We just had the best time... I'm only left wondering why 11 years ago I couldn't wait to move away from this place... What was I thinking? I guess I had just had enough of So. Cal... But now all I'm wishing for, is for us to get back there. It has everything you want; Gorgeous scenery, 30 minute drive to the ocean, great restaurants, a million and one things to do during your free time, clean fresh air, active healthy people out and about, but mostly for me, my little family of 5 that live there and want us to be there near them is the main draw. There isn't anything like watching your neice and nephews grow up... At this time all I can say is it's in the works, but nothing definite yet... All I know is, if it's meant to be, it's meant to be...



It's all in God's timing...

There are lots more snapshots of our vacation here...