Home again, home again… Day 11.

So, it’s come to this! The last day of my sordid tale of escape and debauchery – light on the latter. (grin)

Roxan and I got up stoopid early, to make sure I was at the airport in time to check in and get through security and such. And by Stoopid Early, I mean 4:15 am. I drug my tired behind downstairs, made sure I had everything, swiped a diet coke to help wake up, and then we were off to San Jose – or, as those in Santa Cruz call it “over the hill” – which is a different hill then the one Frazier Park is on, that I heard referred too often as ‘I’m off the hill, call you when I come home.’ or ‘we’re headed back up the hill’ etc. California, apparently, is full of hills. At least they’ve finally stopped calling them ‘mountains’!

The San Jose Airport is another little podunk airport that’s now among my favorites (LAX terrifies me. *L* It’s so BIG) and it took us about 45 minutes to get there. Or it should have – it seems we passed through a time vortex, because it Roxan knew when we left, and swore it should not have taken us so long – maybe she gained that time on the way back! Who knows!

She dropped me off and went to park while I checked in via their little machine, thanks to the help of an employee who had the grace not to laugh at my nerves. I just prefer to have real people checking me in, instead of machines! Real people make mistakes and you have someone to yell at! If a MACHINE does it, whatcha gonna do, kick it? Anyway, we got me all checked in and the gate was literally 20 feet away. I waited for Roxan and we chatted for a few minutes, until she had to head back, and I needed to hit security and the bathroom waiting on the other side (fault the Diet Coke!) before boarding. So we said our goodbyes, and she headed off to an extremely busy day back ‘over the hill’ and I skated through security without problems.

The flight started boarding on time (6am) and we all were amused as we bored to see how few of us there were! Seems EVERYONE hates getting up that early! The flight attendants started making jokes over the intercom. “So, now that all 30 of you are on board, everyone to their own row!” and “Thank you for flying Alaska Airlines…. all 30 of you.”  So on and so forth. They were a great crew, and spent a lot of time giggling and having fun – THOSE are the flights I LOVE.

We got boarded quickly and off early, and made great time to Seattle. Once there, I found the right gate, grabbed a bagel and some coffee and waited for the second flight to board. They started, then had to stop because maintenance needed to check something. I hate it when they announce that sort of stuff, but don’t give any clue as to what they’re checking – it allows the more paranoid (STOP LOOKING AT ME!) to come up with a variety of ailments. The wing is hanging by a SINGLE BOLT. The engine, it’s not supposed to be on the tarmac like that. The are installing new, wider seats for us fatasses! Ok – so that last one is just wishful thinking. Ha.

After about 20 minutes, Maintenance cleared us to resume boarding and I heard one of the employees say something about a door that wasn’t closing properly, but now is. Alrighty then. There were more folks on this flight, but I still managed to score myself an entire row near the back of the plane. I was surrounded by a group of loud guys who all work together for some company or another, and listened to them talk shop until I splurged for the digiplayer and watched Ocean’s 13 – nothing ever beats the original 11, but 13 was a pretty fun flick, all told.

I caught about a 20 minute cat nap as well, and enjoyed a mini-sub sandwich before we landed without any problem in Anchorage. I grabbed my luggage, found where the cabs were waiting, walked ALL THE WAY AROUND 3 exits that would be RIGHT NEXT to the cab station, but were blocked off due to construction, and caught  a cab with a nice gentleman who helped me with my luggage, and took me to the Library where Dad’s meeting was in progress.

I settled in, and mucked around online for the last hour of the meeting, then joined Dad and C in the rental car he’d gotten for the occasion for the long ride home. A stop at Girdwood for munchies, and then in Kenai to drop of C at her car, and I was home at last. The pup – she decided to stay with Auntie an extra night, and so I didn’t even see her until the next day – but the other two, they were very excited to see the things i had bought them me. I passed out the goodies, made a couple calls, and then? Went to sleep.

Thus ends the tale of my Escape to CA. I know, kinda anti-climatic, huh? *L*

(What the heck am I gonna write about NOW?)

Escape to CA – Day 10!

As I started to write this post last night (Or rather, at 1am this morning) and decided to get some sleep first, it occurred to me why… this is the last day of the vacation, there’s only the traveling home after this entry, and then the vacation will well and truly be over. Sniff. And then? I STILL HAVE 2/3 OF A MONTH TO GO for nablopomo! The hell am I gonna write about NEXT? Maybe I should have stretched this a LEETLE farther… ha!

ANYWAY. Friday morning, I woke up to a cute little face peering at me and giggling as his daddy said “She’s not snoring anymore, we know she’s awake! RUN LIL DUDE RUN!” Like he’s one to talk – no one could POSSIBLY have heard me snore with the way that Clown saws logs! But well, clearly it was Time To Get Up according to the toddler, who wanted breakfast, and they were determined to make me wake up AND eat before noon.

I know!

So! Roxan had to do go to work for a bit, and the boys decided that we’d walk (…what the hell is with this family and WALKING? GOSH!) down to a little restaurant for breakfast. We made it there in one piece (a very redfaced and grumpy piece on my part. I didn’t even get a cup of COFFEE first… the HELL? – good thing the nephew and niece are cute…) and were led to a table where everyone else had breakfast, and I had lunch. Ok, so it was almost noon, and a pattymelt just sounded GOOD. So that’s what I had.

At one point, as we were waiting for our food, and Kevin was being cute…

…which he’s pretty darn good at, all told, I saw Cory set a stack of coins on the table. I caught Bubba’s eye and smirked, and we waited. Then Nancie wasn’t looking for half a second and PING! Cory flipped a penny into her bra. She was SO EMBARRASSED – probably because the three of us, Bubba, Cory and I cracked up. I assured her that this meant she was TRULY family, as all of us girls have been there, done that. If you wear a shirt that’s gonna show some cleavage, you’re gonna get something flipped into your bra. She was lucky it was money – they have a fondness for tossing ice at me. She was blushing, and then I remembered I had yet to tell bubba something!

Right before I left, I helped the Boy and Girl sign up for MySpace accounts – helped meaning I did it, and thus I have total access. I’m a bit of an overprotective freak like that and all. When The Boy saw Nancie’s pictures (We hadn’t seen her in person for a while) his comment was “….wow.” I swatted him and went “she’s RELATED!” to which he replied… “not by blood she ain’t!”

So I tell this to Bubba, so he has a reason to thump The Boy when he sees him next (not that he NEEDS a reason, but it’s more fun that way!) and while we were laughing, poor Nancie went from the blushing, to about 15 variations of red. I never knew there were so many embarrassed shades! It was priceless. She may never forgive me. (grin) In fact, as we walked back after breakfast, she was overheard bemoaning the whole conversation “Did we REALLY have to discuss my boobs?” Yes, honey, I’m afraid we did. In this family, if you stick em out, we WILL notice and point it out. *L*

So, back at the house, we tried to figure out what we were gonna do next. Kevin continued being cute, and making himself useful by sweeping, before he decided he had to check his email.

Nancie checked her myspace,

and sent an INSPIRED message to my son: “So, I hear you want a kissing cousin…” to complete the circle of embarrassed teens. And yes, she spoke on her cell phone AND checked her messages at the same time. Way to multitask!

Then Cory was getting restless, so I tossed them out, and kept the baby kisses for myself.

When Roxan returned home, she and I decided that I should see Redwoods, since I was there and all, and I’m always bemoaning our pitiful Alaskan trees. We wandered into the park,

where we got two of my favorite pictures of the day… then we moved on to the area where there’s something like a 2 mile hike to see the REALLY BIG ONES. Because naturally, the train wasn’t going that day. Me? i opted for the first big one, and told them to go on ahead, I’d commune with nature and wait (…where’s the gift shop…) *L* Behold, Trees That Make My Ass Look Small:

This one I laid down on the ground at the base, and took pictures upwards:

When I stood up, I had smutz all over my back, so Roxan was wiping it off and was all “HELLO! If I’m all patting your ass, you’d better wriggle it!” So I did, which caused her to comment “Damn, girl, you DO have a bedonkadonk ass…” and I’m all no… I have a bedonkadonkadonkadonkadonk ass! Size matters, after all! She laughed and I did that butt shimmy thing all the black girls do, and she was duly impressed. See, there’s a REASON I get hit on by BBMs! They like ’em THICK.

ANYWAY – proof that yes, indeed, the tree IS bigger then my ass – because I know you’re doubting it…:

And of course a cross-section of a felled tree:

So, the boys and Nancie were doing the walk, and Roxan, Kevin and I made our escape. She didn’t even make me walk all the way back to the car, but instead came and picked me up in the second (and closer) parking lot, much to the ire of the attendant. “We don’t DO pickups or drop offs!” she snorted and tried to make Roxan pay for a 30 second drive through the lot. My sister in law was all “My SIL in there HURT HER BACK, and we’re trying to get her out of here, but if you’d RATHER we go to the station and make a full injury report…” and thus, the pickup was made.
For free.
Don’t fuck with my SIL, man. Seriously. (grin)

The baby was pretty tired, so we headed home to put him down for a nap, and wait for the others to arrive. Then came the great dinner debate – is Lessa cooking, or we going out, or… which lasted so long that we decided to go out for mexican. There was this place, the name of which escapes me, which is like a fast food joint almost, but the quality of the food? Oh. My. God. They had a SALSA bar for heavens sake! The pup would have been in HEAVEN for she LOVES the Salsa! And I ordered fajitas, and the plate was HUGE – it’d fed my whole family, i think, there was so much on there! And gooood? Oh yes indeed!

It was also downtown, where there was a Halloween dance for the teens, judging by all the costumes we saw roaming around. Nancie was happy to find a store that had shoes she wanted for VERY cheap – though they were closing, so she was going to go back the next day. Happy Nancie! So, anyway, we headed back home, and at some point I left my camera unattended, something Roxan CAN’T RESIST, because when I came home I found these on there waiting for me:

 

Thanks, sis!

Bubba and Cory went out for a couple beers, and one by one, folks said our goodbyes and headed to bed. Roxan and I had to be up stupid early to get to the airport. Which of course means she went to sleep, and I stayed up most of the night, packing and chatting with a friend online while I tried to decide if I was going to bother trying to sleep for 2 hours or not. I stayed up at least until Bubba came home, so that I could ask him to take my suitcase down the stairs for me (Yes, I’m spoiled!) so that we didn’t do it and wake folks up at 4am. I set my alarm for said 4am, and finally fell into bed at about 2:30 am for a little (very little) bit of sleep before heading to the airport the next morning.

And thus ends day 10!

Tomorrow: Time Vortex, and spacious flying conditions…

Escape to CA – Day Nine

Additions to yesterday via TBF – because I am blond and forget things! (and I’m the sexytary. Sheesh! I may have to retire! THEN what would you do?!) The name of the little town we saw when we made the wrong turn at Albuquerque was Maricopa – which translates to something similar to “Gateway to the Sea” and as we were going to Pismo Beach, and the Sea, I CLEARLY needed to see the Gateway first, right? Right! Then there was the ominous “Pavement Break” signs. They started MILES before we saw anything resembling a pavement break. There were “road work ahead!” and caution signs, and every mile or so a PAVEMENT BREAK sign. It was coming! They warned us! IT COULD HAPPEN AT ANY MOMENT! and then it didn’t. And it didn’t again. And it didn’t some more. But the signs, they were ALL THERE! THE APOCOLYPSE WAS COMING! Er, I mean, the PAVEMENT BREAK! But first? BRAND NEW PAVEMENT! But the warnings – STILL THERE!

And then? It HAPPENED! The pavement, it broke! And there was (oddly smooth for this Alaskan..) dirt roads for a bit, which TBF slowed down REALLY FAST before hitting that breaking point, until the pavement was no longer broken. For me, who lives in a state with two seasons, Winter and Road Construction, it was highly amusing!

So! Thursday morning dawned bright and clear at around 11am – as far as I was concerned anyway, and I grabbed Scooter and headed down the stairs to say goodmornig to a chipper and cheerful Roxan working out in the living room. With dumbbells and everything! So she is in shape when they decide to have KIDS. THIS is my SIL who SWORE she’d NEVER settle down! Yes, I’m still in shock. Anyway – I settle down and boot up Scooter, because one of the things she hoped I could accomplish for her was getting their wireless internet fixed. Little did she know I was brand new to the whole wireless game, but I faked it pretty good, and said I’d give it my best, even if I had to call their provider and yell at someone. I’m good at that, after all! After a moment’s panic, she found the piece of paper with the info on it, and I putzed around on Scooter and found her connection, and then went about trying to figure out why their password wouldn’t work. Meanwhile, she grabbed the phone to call Klem (the bf), and ask him some questions about it, and in eavesdropping on her half of the conversation, there was a word that just DID NOT BELONG. My brows arched thoughtfully, and I plugged it in et voila, I are a genius, her wireless CONNECTED sans problems for the rest of my stay.

Y eah. I’m THAT good.

So, with a happy smile, she raced off over the hill to San Jose in order to pick up my BIL the Clown, and our 2 year old nephew, who I was getting to meet for the very first time. I hit the shower while she was gone, and answered email, said hello to the cats

and putzed around and waited for them to arrive. And arrive they did – and can I just say that this youngest nephew of mine? Is ADORABLE. Yes, just like all my other nephews and my niece! But really! Get a load of this face!

TELL me that is not a face built for mischief?! I knew right away he and I would get along JUST FINE. He took a little convincing, as he huddled close to his Auntie Roxan, who he had met before on several occasions. I had brought along a stuffed moose, though – all soft and squishy – to buy his affections, and he accepted it, for half a second. Then he played with a bungee cord from Daddy’s luggage. So? I did what all good auntie’s do – I formed the bungee cord into a leash for the moose so he could drag it all over the house. Mission accomplished – you could see it dawning in his eyes “THIS one will SPOIL ME ROTTEN! SCORE!” He and I then began a fight over his binky and if he really needed the plug. “MINE! giiiiiiiiimme that! You don’t NEED that!” which was the cause of MUCH giggling on both our parts.

Cory (the BIL Clown) was in need of food, so we plopped Baby Kevin into the stroller, and they made my fat ass walk down to Karls, where we had some pretty darn good burgers, and bonded with the baby. Then, of course, we had to walk back, and Roxan was all ‘What happened to your back?’ and I was all ‘Its the lower back and hip – and I had three kids. But mostly? A fat lady walked around on ’em all day!’ And she smacked me. Awesome.

The baby was tired, and Roxan wanted to take me around a bit, and so we headed out to explore, and go see Klem’s shop. She kept asking me what I had wanted to see, and I was all “DUH woman, I came to see YOU! Whatever you want to show me here is just icing on the cake!” I’m pretty sure she rolled her eyes at me. So THATS where the kids get it….

I saw the house they grew up in, and got my first glimpse of Their Tree.

When they were little, this tree is where Roxan and Kevin would go, and Kevin would spin stories for her to help them forget the hell they were living in at home. It was that tree, where Kevin – who talked back then about death a lot – would tell her that whoever went first, they would meet there at Their Tree. For obvious reasons it’s been hard for Roxan to go there, and the first visit – it was foggy anyway – we just drove past, and along the West Coast Drive. We decided to go back after the fog cleared, when we could get better pictures.

Klem’s shop, O’Rielly’s Tattoo in Santa Cruz looks nothing like a tattoo shop typically would from the outside. It’s a lovely little Victorian house, and as we walked in, Roxan showed me the window of her old place, where she was looking out and first saw Klem. Nothing like the typical guys she’s gone out with before, she took one look and knew that he was her guy. (All together now… aaaaaaaawwwwwww!) She took me inside, introduced me to all the guys in the shop, and then to Klem were we took a look at and stamped our approval on the tattoo he’d just finished. He took a look at my new one, and I got to look at his picture book, and generally get a feeling for the whole group of guys there – they were getting ready for a convention they’d be headed too the next day, and just got their Flash artwork in that they were going to sell. I’m proud to say I was one of the first people who got to see it – and they are one group of seriously talented guys… I think next tattoo I get, I’m going to sign up ahead of time and let Klem do it. (He’s always booked up to 5 months in advance!)

We went back to West Coast Drive, as the fog had indeed cleared, and got out and took some pictures at some scenic points. I saw silly surfers, and paddle boarding (ALL the craze with Celebs right now) and the monument to all the surfers who had died there.

Then we went back to Their Tree, and I offered to go over there by myself, but Roxan decided she was ok, and would join me. It’s a beautiful tree, very peaceful, with views that are just serene and amazing. I can see why they would claim it for their own.

As we were walking back from the tree to the car, that’s when IT HAPPENED. A First for my Califonia visits! We crossed the street, and were almost to the car, when this old stationwagon went by, with surf boards on top, and a hippy hanging out the front window as they slowed down. “HEY!” he yelled, and I turned around.. “YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL AURA!” he says and I looked at Roxan, but he was looking at me, and so I just threw open my arms, smiled, and said “THANK YOU!” and he drove off…

Roxan started laughing and was all “My god! You weren’t kidding!” and I was all “DUDE. I just got hit on by a WHITE GUY! I gotta call TBF!” which I did, leaving a voice mail, with much amusement. Now, the poor Hippy was probably confusing my shiny sunburned nose with a bright Aura, but who am I to complain?

Conclusion: California loves me.
TBF’s reply: I TOLD YOU SO.

Also, on this trip down by the boardwalk, this guy on a bicycle went right in front of us (because apparently, he is a god and cannot be hit. COME BACK AND TRY THAT AGAIN MOFO!) and had the nerve to yell at US because Roxan had to slam on her breaks so as not to hit him. Roxan cussed him out, and then while we were at the next light, he caught up with us and rode right next to us – Roxan had just answered her cell phone and he was all “Yeah that’s RIGHT you better CALL somebody!” and I was like ‘….what?’ so i flipped him off and she did too, and Roxan was all “WHAT the hell was THAT about? What’s THAT mean? better call somebody… you better BELIEVE I’m gonna call somebody – I’m gonna call a can of WHUPASS on you THATS what I’m gonna call” or some such stuff. I can’t recall exactly what she said, because I had dissolved into a pile of uncontrollable giggling at that point – but that was the general idea. California Road Rage. LOVE IT.

We got back to the house, and I have honestly NEVER seen my BIL so photogenic. It might have had something to do with the props…

Seriously, how cute is he? (I mean Baby Kevin. Of course. *g*)

So, we put him to bed, and Roxan went to pick up her vegetable delivery and while she was gone a certain Bubba and Nancie arrived! It was apparently going to be a surprise, but Bubba, he spilled the beans to me while I was in Frazier Park. *L* I was very happy to see them, though, as it’s been some time since I’ve gotten to cuddle me Bubba and Nancie – who’s all growed up. SIGH. Not sure when THAT happened, but it was clearly when I wasn’t looking! So there was a LOT of conversation and giggling and general mayhem, and then Roxan decided to COOK!

Yes. She COOKS now too! Cory took off to go play darts with his hometown friends after I assured him we’d watch the baby, Bubba joined him for a beer or two but came home in time for dinner, as did Klem, and another friend of theirs who’s name escapes me at the moment. While dinner was being made, Baby Kevin alternated between ‘helping’ and ‘driving Auntie Nuts’ and traveling from the bowl of strawberries to my side, where he’d hand a strawberry to me to pick the greens off, before shoving them in his mouth and going back for another one with a cheerful ‘Tankoo!’ So. Friggin. Cute.

Dinner? Chicken and Dumplings, with a beet salad on the side. It was DELISH! Even with (Or partially because of) the help she had. I couldn’t have made it better myself! We talked and laughed and watched Tattoo Throwdowns on TLC, and generally reconnected. The house was even happier when filled with friends and family, and I was perfectly content to watch and listen and talk and share.

Klem had to get to bed kinda early, as he had to go leave early in the morning for his convention in San Jose, so we got a quick picture together, and then he was off.

Roxan put the baby to bed, and then herself. We all just sat around and talked while Nancie curled up against Bubba and fell asleep. We got her off to bed too – as Cory came in and showed off his winnings – he’s won every dart tournament he’s entered just about, and that night was no different!

Soon, the house was quiet, with everyone crashing in their rooms. I watched the internet Stream of Survivor, and did a quick post to hold over my legions of fans until I wrote my full recap, and then hit the sheets myself.

Thus ended Thursday!

Tomorrow – Trees That Make My Ass Look Small. Oh, and? Poor Nancie discovers her Family’s Obsession with Bewbs. AKA – if ya show ’em off, we’re gonna point ’em out.

Escape to CA – day 8!

We start today’s post by revisiting days gone by, briefly, to add some a couple of things I forgot, that TBF mentioned in comments – just to be sure that we have the entire amusing tale down completely.

First up: He said I forgot the SECOND near death experience, but I believe it was the first, because the second will come up later in this post. It was on Sunday, the day we went to LACMA, S’s house and clubbing. TBF was driving, and The Wife was in the back, and they were discussing where we were going in great confusing detail to me, because the names of the streets mean nothing and I was lost anyway. Haha! So, we head across an intersection – and that’s where the story splits three ways:

TBF – *slams breaks* The light was green when I started across!
Me – Whahuh?! Hello mr. dashboard! Breaks work!
The Wife – AUGH, BABE! The light was green FOR THE OTHER GUYS!

It’s ALWAYS an adventure! TBF has awesome reflexes (Though questionable sight according to The Wife. How’s that Lasic treating ya?) and when the other car started to turn in front of us, quick reflexes on their, and TBF’s part, saved us from an LA collision. Whew! That was Near Death Experience Number One.

Secondly: “The Great Mug Kiping of ‘07 (It’s not quite as dramatic as the Great Dachsy Famine of ‘05, but one does what they can)”
While at KFC (Yesterday’s post) we were at a location that has combined with A&W RootBeer, and thus when you ate there, you could get a root beer float in a lovely A&W Glass Mug. Which apparently you are supposed to RETURN to the counter, to be washed and reused. Let’s just say that The Wife was not only very happy with the returned Xbox that allowed us to keep living, but loved her new Mug as well! The Mamoo was a little astounded by TBF’s audacity. I, for one, was unsurprised. (grin)

And Thirdly! I just remembered! As I was sitting at the window seat (yesterday’s entry) in the sun, I glanced up and sent TBF the following email:

Dude. Did that school bus that went by actually really say “Elton John” school district? or was I dreaming? Cuz that’s AWESOME if so. *LMAO*

To which he replied:

*fucking DIES*
El Tejon (tay hone) Unified School District
Close

I think I’m going to be calling it Elton John from now on *TOO amused*

After which I decided:

Dude I will never be able to read it the same way. L* It’ll forever be christened the Elton John School District. So mote it be! *grins*

And there you have a glimpse of what our emails are like while he is at work. *L*

~~~

So! Now that we’re caught up on the things I missed… (so far – TBF and I are notorious for forgetting things then going OH! HEY! for weeks later.) (Ok, to be honest _I_ forget things and _He_ goes HEY! You forgot…! for weeks later.) (It’s ok, after 10 years? I’m totally used to it.) (grin) (We must quit using paranthetical asides now.) … that brings us to day 8 – otherwise known as Lessa Transfer Wednesday. (Time to make the donuts – er, move the lessa – er… ok. this is getting rediculous. Writing these at 1am has it’s disadvantages. ha!)

We got up nice and early, though not exactly nicely because hello, 9am? Ugh. And I was on VACATION! But got up we did, and made the morning coffee run for TBF’s iced latte, my mocha, and breakfast bagels. TBF took his to go, and I sat down at the same uncomfortable table I had the day before – until the gentleman camped out at the good table? LEFT. And I totally made my move and stole the big table with the comfy chairs. Oh lordy, they were comfortable! And then I smiled oh so sweetly at the loud man from the day before as he had to take my old table with the chairs that pinched the butt and not in a good way…

Then, even better? After I stretched out in the comfortable chair, not only did they open the door beside me, but they TURNED ON THE FAN! Ohdalolly, a fan never felt so good! It was loud, but totally worth it.

Shortly after that, I also got a conversation partner, in the form of the 3 year old daughter of one of the employees. (Yes, I blurred her face on purpose – she’s not my little girl, after all. Dig the interior of the Cantina though!) She told me her name was Angelie, and I learned a LOT about her as she climbed on the table to choose her crayons, and show me her favorite colors, then sat in the chair to color her my little pony coloring book pages. I learned about rainbows, and that they don’t HAVE to be the same colors as in the sky – I learned that she can run REALLY fast, and I learned that sometimes, her daddy forgets to help her wash her hands, so would I do that for her? (The answer – of course, I’ll help! And I did.)

Then she told her daddy that she ate all the grapes he’d given her. When she came back to the table, I asked her what was left in the bowl… and I was told those are ORANGES, not grapes, they’re SPECIAL ORANGES and grow red and all together in bunches. See! I learn something every day!

I also had a couple conversations with the locals, about living in Alaska, and what it’s really like, and why I was in CA and if I loved it as much as my sunburned nose said I did (Yes, of course, just call me Rudolf!). I got caught watching TV by TBF when he arrived, which made me laugh. I hadn’t gotten to see a couple shows, so in between working, I caught up on those that stream online, so my kids could clear out the DVR here at home, and record more, of course! (Hush. I get paid to watch bad tv!) We didn’t get out of town as early as we hoped, as things were not all going well at work. But finally, TBF arrived to pick me up, and we headed out to the house to get the Wife, the Suitcase, and say goodbye to the Animals.

(Yes, I only got photographs of these two. Yes, I suck.)

So – round about 6pm, and only 3 hours later then we hoped, we aired up the tires – and by ‘we’ I mean ‘TBF’ – and we were off. It had gotten dark, as it does there with alarming regularity at the SAME TIME EVERY DAY – freaky! and I was introduced to the fact that CA has roads JUST LIKE HOME. Twisty turns and drop offs and long sections of no lights, and no traffic and occasional stops alongside the road for bathroom breaks ..not me. I don’t GO outside unless it’s an emergency. Which, of course, means I ALMOST HAD TOO, because of yet another Near Death Experience.

We were bopping along at a good 10mph above the speed limit, talking and generally watching out for Bad Bambis! who tend to get too close to the road – we’d already seen 3 of them. There was a truck a ways up, and a smaller set of lights. As we come barreling around the corner, we all kind of realize at once that the smaller set of lights was SEPARATING and thus TURNING RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. Again, TBF’s fast and fancy breakwork saved the day. And we made a pitstop shortly thereafter so TBF could relieve himself of excess of coffee, just in case such a thing happened again because two such shocks his bladder couldn’t take. Mine either – but I simply suggested that he NOT LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN. Very calmly, of course. All of us have the same story for that one though, as there were no traffic lights to be debated, just an asshole turning right in front of an oncoming car. Whew.

Then there was the left turn at Albuquerque. Which simply means that through a discussion of which direction TBF should go, resulted in us turning the wrong way for a few miles, before turning around and heading back. It meant I got to see a teeny tiny little CA town that I would not have seen otherwise, and almost missed when I blinked, anyway. We’re all about the adventures, we are!

I was in pretty constant phone contact with the SIL by this point, because she had left early and was waiting for us at the Pierside Restaurant. TBF had promised to take me to a beach, see – and so we’d chosen that location in Pismo to make the Great Lessa Transfer. There were some shady characters around there that made Roxan a little nervous, and though the restaurant closed before we arrived, the employees were nice and let her stay inside to wait for us to arrive – and arrive we finally did at about 9:30 or so. At which point in time, TBF gestured grandly toward the dark fog, and said “Voila! you can’t see it, but there’s TOTALLY a beach there! I have done as I promised!” At which point I inhaled deeply of the fish-scented air and let at a content “…smells like money!” as that’s what large bodies of water smell like to anyone who lives in a fishing town.
Then I got the joy of introducing my BF to my SIL and having him agree with me that Roxan is INDEED the coolest person around. We stood there in the parking lot and laughed and talked and told stories, and laughed some more (“SHUT the FRONT DOOR! THAT’s who you remind me of!”) until we knew we just couldn’t wait any longer, and had to part ways. If TBF hadn’t had to work, they would have just followed us to Santa Cruz, which would have been AWESOME. Next time, we’re totally going to spend more time together, all of us. Two words: Joint Vacations! Alrighty then.

So, we got my bag put into Roxan’s car, said our goodbyes – and I did REALLY GOOD and totally didn’t cry, though TBF knew exactly why I didn’t actually SAY anything while we hugged, cuz if I did, I totally would have sniffled, and we can’t have THAT. I’d already almost sniffled when I first hugged Roxan as it was. So. No sniffling. Dammit. (sniffles). TBF and The Wife headed toward Denny’s for something to eat before heading back, and Roxan and I were off to Santa Cruz.

During the drive there was a lot of conversation, and laughter as I told her of the adventures I had already had during my vacation, and I got to listen to her talk about Klem (her bf) and shake my head at how giddy and girly she sounded talking about him. I’d never seen her that way, see, and it was the best thing in the world to see her happy.

We of course had to make at least ONE wrong turn, though we got switched around pretty quickly again, we made a McD’s run for some fries and a milk shake to hold us over till we got back to the house.

And then – then I saw the house. Even in the dark, I knew I adored this house.

I am in LOVE with this house. It is a happy house, and one of the historical landmarks of Santa Cruz. It was a house that she and Klem were meant to have, and I love every nook and crannie of it. Tell me this is not the most beautiful old house? You can’t, can you! I didn’t think so.

Its a beautiful Victorian, that needs some tender love and care, which it definitely will get from Roxan and Klem. It’s on the prettiest street in all of Santa Cruz, surrounded by old houses that are all unique yet still have the same Victorian feel, all having been built in the same era. The windows let in a ton of sunshine, and the tree lined Walnut Avenue is the prettiest street I think I’ve ever seen.

That window right in the front of the second story there was my room, the window of which I kept open the whole time to keep cool, and also to listen to the people as they walked by on the sidewalk below.

And I spent the rest of my time there trying to figure out how to get that bathtub in my suitcase and bring it home. That beautiful tile job, btw, was done by Lex, of Survivor Africa and All-Star fame. No, I’m not kidding. And no, I didn’t get to meet him – but he does BEAUTIFUL tile work, no? (grin)

As we were exhausted by the time we got there, Roxan showed me to my room, promised I’d get to meet Klem the next day, and I gave her an Ulu and a Rachael Ray Cookbook, as she’s learning how to cook. Then, after a hug, and a promise that YES the bed was fine and YES I’d be comfortable and STOP WORRYING darlin, I’ll be FINE, and letting her mother me a bit (…which was QUITE the switch in roles with us and almost disconcerting! *L*) and place an extra blanket on the end of the bed – we said goodnight, and thus ended a very long Wednesday. WHEW!

Tomorrow’s tale includes a Clown, a Nephew and a moose in a noose, cooking, fog, and Their Tree. Oh, and? getting hit on by a WHITE GUY! You know you don’t want to miss THAT story….