There was "fall-like" weather this week, so Shayna got to stomp around in her new rain boots & jacket! F-U-N!
On Thursday, we were invited over to my uncle and aunt's house for Thanksgiving because this year we didn't make it to Baja for our annual trip. It took us almost 2 hours of L.A. traffic to get to their house, which is only 45 miles away... seriously! Shayna slept the entire way, so we totally lucked out!
I only got 1 picture from Thanksgiving because I was too busy playing basketball with Brian and Mindy's cousin, Ronnie, and friend, Yonny, from Israel. Needless to say, I played my best in a brand new cashmere sweater from Nordstroms and my Payless loafers... I still kicked butt! It was a wonderful time and the food was delicious! Thanks again for having us, Mark and Jackie!
On Friday night, we were invited to our neighbor's house for another Thanksgiving feast! It was a blast hanging out with friends and Jenny's family. No basketball game last night... thank goodness!
Today we decided to check out our boat... yes, we own a boat... and go out for a dinghy ride. Mark is so cute! We went for a little ride and came back to the dock because Shayna said she was seasick. I got her aboard the Pegasus (our big sailboat) and checked her out - only to find that she was covered in itchy hives. We raced to the nearest grocery store and bought some Benedryl. Within 30 minutes most of the hives were gone. When we arrived home, we got her into a warm bath. The hives are mostly all gone and now Mark and Shayna are both asleep on the couch... so cute... Hope everyone had a pleasant Thanksgiving and a great weekend!
My good friend, Bill, asked me to come help him with recovering some items lost in the fire. This is his place. No, not the structure to the left, but the burned twisted metal on the ground. This is all that's left. I had no idea... You see pictures... You watch television... but until you walk up and smell, taste, and see, you have no idea. It is horrible. I tried to remind myself that it's just material things and thank goodness Bill and Jan weren't in there when this happened. Guess what, it doesn't make it any easier. It was 23 years ago (which Bill reminded me) I was his first visitor to his new place. Now I'm one of the last. It isnauseating! We helped his neighbor recover some items. I cannot imagine walking away from my house with just a tool box of momentos... Here are some photos:
It's really hard to get away from the smoke and ash, here in southern California right now. The Los Angeles / Orange County Basin is filled with horrible air quality, as many fires rage on through the day and night. Fortunately for us here in the LBZ, we're not in any burn danger, but the smoke in the air is horrible, especially for Shayna and myself, who still has a cough and can't breathe! I took this picture today while driving back from Newport Beach. We are on PCH near Seal Beach. This fire is in Anaheim Hills and the smoke plume had already made its way to Catalina Island, thanks in most part to Santa Ana winds. We got home after our outing and found our driveway blanketed with ash. It looked like somebody had just emptied a full ash tray on our property. The ash was falling like large snowflakes, and to top it off, we had left our windows open because it was very warm when we left this morning.
Here's a video to show you a 360 degree view of the plume (I say that it's the Corona Fire, but it's more than likely the Anaheim Hills fire):
Today is the day that I know we've all been dreaming of for 18 months! No more interrupting phone calls, no more lawn signs, no more junk mail, and hopefully, no more mud slinging! Today I voted! I voted for "my" presidential candidate and various state/county measures. I got my "I Voted" sticker and headed over to Starbucks for my free "bold" coffee, which I am sipping on as I write this! Yummy! Soon I will pick up Shayna, then head back to Starbucks, where I will try another type of "Free" coffee. God Bless America, oh and Starbucks, too...hehehe...
Today, my sweetheart, you turn 4 years old! My, you have grown in these 4 short years! I cannot express how much love I have for you because it would take me forever. I have seen such beauty in my life... the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and countless rainbows, but nothing compares to your beauty. I love you!
I know that this Blog (or Web Log) is titled, "Shayna," but it's really a place for me to write about the daily happenings of the household. I will post a lot of Shayna and William things here. This Blog will be a mixture of both her and other fun things going on the homestead.
There was "fall-like" weather this week, so Shayna got to stomp around in her new rain boots & jacket! F-U-N!
I only got 1 picture from Thanksgiving because I was too busy playing basketball with Brian and Mindy's cousin, Ronnie, and friend, Yonny, from Israel. Needless to say, I played my best in a brand new cashmere sweater from Nordstroms and my Payless loafers... I still kicked butt! It was a wonderful time and the food was delicious! Thanks again for having us, Mark and Jackie!
On Friday night, we were invited to our neighbor's house for another Thanksgiving feast! It was a blast hanging out with friends and Jenny's family. No basketball game last night... thank goodness!
Today we decided to check out our boat... yes, we own a boat... and go out for a dinghy ride. Mark is so cute! We went for a little ride and came back to the dock because Shayna said she was seasick. I got her aboard the Pegasus (our big sailboat) and checked her out - only to find that she was covered in itchy hives. We raced to the nearest grocery store and bought some Benedryl. Within 30 minutes most of the hives were gone. When we arrived home, we got her into a warm bath. The hives are mostly all gone and now Mark and Shayna are both asleep on the couch... so cute...
