To my friends far and wide, may your new year be filled to brim with much joy, much love and many personal successes!
Wishes For a New Year
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Monthly Archives: December 2007
In the Cover of the Night
Since the hubby and I started taking the pupster out for regular walks late at night (like after 11:00 PM) I’ve noticed that the neighborhood is an entirely different place. Our neighborhood isn’t overly busy, but we are on a pretty direct route so during rush hour, our street can get busy.
On Tuesday nights the local Mexican restaurant has open mic night and when you walk by, regardless of how hot or cold it is outside, there are clusters of musicians, singing, drumming or strumming their guitars. On the weekends the teenagers are hanging out at the bowling alley and people are coming and going in all manner of weekend-going-out attire.
Late at night though, there’s usually no one around except for the few fellow dog walkers, the leagues finishing up at the local bowling alley and the occasional coyote or two. I think favorite part would have to be the amazing scents that fill the night air. In the summer it’s jasmine and magnolia and in the winter it’s the rosemary shrubs and the fireplaces.
In the cover of the night, it really is an entirely place.
There’s Just Something About Full On Holiday Light Displays
Griffith Park does an awesome job on their holiday light display. We go every year, though most of the time we try to avoid the long waits – so go that first week or so, or anytime after Christmas. Last night, the hubby surprised me with this year’s trip after we had dinner.
There’s just something about a display of lights so large that you stay in your car to see it all. A display that takes nearly two months to build. A display where people will wait in a line for hours just to experience. I mean, there are even lights that you actually drive through. And they twinkle! What’s more fun than that I ask you?
There are still a few days left, so stop by if you’re in the area. To make the most of the experience I suggest parking and walking over driving it – just be sure to dress warmly. But if you are going to drive, be sure to roll down your windows to be able to hear the holiday music. And a cup of hot cocoa wouldn’t hurt 😉
I took some pictures, but since I didn’t use any tripod and we were in a slowly moving car, they’re not the best. But you get the idea.
I think the elves are my favorite part – especially the playful peeking ones.
Looks just like a Lite Brite picture doesn’t it?
Is This Not the Cutest Thing You’ve Ever Seen?
I was finally able to meet up with my friend the other day. First time I’ve seen her in a bout six or so months. It was great to catch up over lunch. Who knew lunch could last three hours! You know it’s a friend when you can spend that much time together yet feel as if it’s only been a couple of minutes.
Of course the little angel never woke up until it was time to leave. But I did get to hold her, love her, feed her and burp her before we parted ways. Maybe next time we get together for dinner with the hubby the angel will spend a little more time smiling and giggling.
Now We Have to Worry About Gmail too!
David Airey went away on vacation for a bit with his sweetie. He made sure to notify his clients, tidy up his business obligations and even took the time to tell his blog readers that he’d be away enjoying his vacation for a bit. While he was gone, the very day he left, in fact, someone hacked into his gmail account and stole his website/blog. At this point, they’re still holding his site for ransom!
Who knew that someone could hack into Gmail, change filters and basically just take over someone’s business. You better believe I’ll be getting in the habit of regularly checking my filters, redirects and accounts (I probably have 10 addresses running through my gmail). Take a moment to read his story, it might save you down the road.
Now me, I just need to get better at closing my gmail tab. Of course now that I’m using a beta Firefox I don’t have my Google toolbar. How’s a gal to know when she has email?!?!
Wordless Wednesday
Ahhhh…Relaxin’
Well, Christmas is officially over. The hubby loves his camera gifties, the nieces loved their luggage. So now we’re all here, snuggling on the couch in my new cozy PJs and fuzzy slippers (thanks J!) drinking the hubby’s white elephant winnings of Jack & Coke while watching bad movies on TV.
Ahhh…things are just so peaceful and calm after the holidays. What more could you be grateful for, right.
Hope your day was both merry and bright!
I Wish I’d Ventured Out Today
But more to the point, I wish my shopping partners-in-crime were around (the hubby is not a fan of shopping or browsing or hell, just stepping foot anywhere near a store or mall). Today was one of those beautiful LA days, warm, blue skies and sunny – you know, very un-Christmas-like. And maybe because of all of this, it turns out our local outdoor shopping venues were all dead. Little did I know that this would have been the perfect time to kidnap the hubby and just stroll around and admire the holiday decorations and general fa la la-ery.
I’ve heard locals talk about the empty and peaceful time where the streets are devoid of darn near anyone, but I thought it was just a myth. Turns out this only happens once a year, starting the weekend prior to Christmas. In the actual city of LA. Rumor has it, once Christmas is over, they all come back and the madness continues full force. Over here on our side of the hill, you know the Valley, you don’t notice this as much.
Our grocery stores are (and were) insane, even today. And don’t even get me started about the insanity that is Costco. Thankfully, I was able to hop on in, pick up our photos and get back to the my hubby in the car – he didn’t even make it past the main road by the time I came out. Too bad we have to go back again tomorrow since he accidently printed the wrong family photo. Heck, even our local K-Mart ended up on the news for the lines of last minute shoppers.
I’d drag the hubby out to the Grove tomorrow night, but wouldn’t you just know it, there’s no snow (bubbles) scheduled for tomorrow. Talk about bah humbuggin’.
Happy Holidays!!
I Think I’ve Changed My Mind
And now I regret not decorating for Christmas *sigh* Not enough to go pull out all those decorations now, mind you. But enough to wish I had actually put up the tree and hung up our holiday cards. I kind of miss just that little bit of the sights and smells of the season.
Of course, this was all brought on because we had a sweet and mellow (read: inexpensive) date night last night. First we went out to for a late lunch/early dinner. From there, after indulging in the world’s best tapioca pudding (Brent’s in Northridge – get the large and bring home the leftovers, you won’t be disappointed) we headed on over to Galco’s Soda Pop Shop to check out all the off beat names and brands of soda from around the US (and some international brands as well). I picked up a CheerWine (made with cane sugar – even better still!) since I love that stuff and it didn’t let me down – though I do wish I’d picked up two.
We ended the night doing my favorite Christmas event…checking out the Upper Hastings Ranch neighborhood to look at their holiday light displays. I love driving around, with the widows down, sipping on the requisite hot cocoa admiring the decorations. If I was a kid, I’d think I’d have died and ended up at the North Pole. Some folks do a really great job (and yes, some are totally lame as well). Before heading back home, we drove by what I refer to as the “Ice Cream House” (the Balian house)where they go crazy insane with their decorations. They even end up with street vendors! I have to say, this is the first year since I’ve been doing this that there wasn’t a pro-Bush banner hanging front and center. Interesting.
So now you can see why I’m regretting not decorating this year. It took a while, but I do believe that I might finally be getting into the holiday spirit. In fact, I think I need a Peppermint Mocha and a Cranberrry Bliss Bar to celebrate! And yes, as a matter of fact, I did run out without my camera.
WooHoo!! The URL is Back!
Did Blogger just put back the box for adding your URL at some point today? Or am I just now seeing it because I deactivated my “do follow” widget? Either way, I’m happy.