No Fainting or Passing Out Is Allowed!

*Sets down a bunch of pillows to cushion everyone's landing*

No, I'm not just getting back from California. I've been back, but I was held hostage became addicted to a game on Facebook. Mafia Wars has had my attention ever since I got home, and I have been sitting at the computer for hours, literally until my butt hurts, waiting for more energy to do jobs, looking for people who need help with jobs to earn me mega bucks. Can you say sleep-deprived???

I finally started seriously working to get caught up on the blogs, and finally accomplished that this morning about 12:30am. Pitiful, I know.

I have SO many pictures from my trip. NOT! Seriously, I took my camera, I took LOTS of batteries, and every single day I would forget my camera. I only had it out on the FIRST day of my vacation. Extremely pitiful. I admit it.


This was at Cabrillo National Monument, while we were waiting for my sister's flight to arrive. There are tidepools there, but it was high tide, so we just stood and watched the surf come in on the rocks. Still a pretty sight!


Up by the visitors Center, where the monument actually is, I had this beautiful view of the San Diego Harbor. That sky, and the clear air was typical of just about every day I was there. I had bright sunshine every day except Friday. The sandy portion center right of the picture is the Naval Station on Coronado Island, I believe.


Here's my Aunt Val and me, in front of the visitor center's sign.


My sister Sue and Aunt Val also in front of the visitor center sign. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to walk up to see the lighthouse. We had just enough time (not really) to go back to the airport to pick up my other sister, Janet.

Janet's flight was early (I love Southwest!) and we sorta got mis-directed coming out of Cabrillo, so it took us a few minutes longer to get there. But it was all good. We went and had lunch then back to Sue's house to relax and pester her poor hubby. He was so outnumbered for a few days, lol.

My aunt and I stayed in a hotel a couple miles away, Janet stayed at Sue's house, and my other sister Diane stayed at another motel with her dogs. Yes, she brought her dogs. She won't go anywhere without them.

Sunday was my birthday and we hooked up with Diane in Carlsbad, walked along the boardwalk, spent time getting caught up on things, just enjoying the ocean breeze and the great company. For lunch they took me to the Beach House restaurant.

Monday, both Diane, and my Aunt Val had to head back home. That left me with Sue and Janet for a couple days. That afternoon we went to Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas. Apparently they've recently renovated it, and it showed. We took a leisurely stroll on all the paths, marveling at the beautiful flowers, bushes and trees from around California and the world.

Tuesday, Janet and I got out of Sue's hair for a bit so she could do laundry and pay bills. We took a drive to Del Mar looking for a place to eat lunch. Nothing tickled our fancy, so we headed North on 101, past Cardiff By The Sea, through Solana Beach, still nothing. Continuing North, we entered Encinitas, and decided we best park and start looking for a place on foot. We ended up at some bar & grill, with awesome burgers, and the best dessert ever! A grasshopper. Two chocolate chocolate chip cookies with a HUGE scoop of mint chip ice cream in between. I was in heaven.

We were so full afterwards, we headed towards the ocean. We were lucky enough to go down the one street that ends at stairs down to the beach. Walking on sandy beaches is a good way to work off all that extra food. As we headed South along the beach, the tide was obviously coming in, and at one point we were both up on some rocks to keep from getting our shoes wet. Then we had to scamper around part of the cliff before the tide came back in. Just when we were wondering if would have to turn around and go back, we came to another set of stairs taking us up to the road. We were back at the edge of Encinitas, having walked a mile, easily. On the way back through town to the car, we passed the Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens. Sue had suggested that as a place to go and see the Koi ponds. It was very beautiful and peaceful. I would love to go back and just relax my brain for a few hours. Sue got a lot accomplished while we were gone and was glad we enjoyed our day together. I've never spent any one-on-one time with Janet, ever. What a special day for me.

Wednesday Janet was heading home, but it was an early evening flight, so we still had time to take in more sights. We drove over to Coronado Island and walked around the Hotel Del Coronado. What a beautiful hotel! As we were standing in the lobby, I could picture couples from the late 1800's and early 1900's coming down the wide staircase, dressed to the nines for dinner. We drove around the island, past the gate for the Naval Base, got turned around a few times, and finally found our lunch spot. Peohe's, right along the water. We could see downtown San Diego from there. The food was wonderful, the company was fantastic, perfect way to end Janet's trip to CA. We hugged tight at the airport, not wanting to part again. But we promised a family reunion soon.

Thursday/Friday Sue and I were planning on driving up to Grover Beach, near San Luis Obispo to visit our nephew Doug, his wife Margie, and their son Aaron. Because the drive was going to take at least 5-1/2 hours, and we didn't want to get stuck in LA during rush hour, we headed part way Wednesday night. A hotel room in Ventura to rest up, and we were all set! We left about 6:30pm, arrived in Ventura about 9:30pm, headed out about 9:30am, and arrived at my nephew's house around 11:30am. Just in time for lunch! They took us to a cute restaurant that was made from an old railroad car. More walking along the beach (can't get enough of that),


a ride around town on Doug's motorcycle with sidecar, dinner and relaxation. This is Sue going for a ride. I haven't got the picture from her of me in the sidecar, but it was a blast! He took me for a tour of Arroyo Grande, the next town over, where their kids go/went to school. Their oldest, Alycia, is off at college, and was very disappointed to not be there for the visit. Doug is an electrician, owns his own business, and keeps very busy through word-of-mouth only. He and his brother did the electrical work for a new gazebo at the park in Arroyo Grande. Everyone who donated their time to help get it set up was honored with a cement block in front of the gazebo. It proudly says "The Xxxxx Family" almost dead center in front. I'm so proud of him!

We stayed until about noon on Friday, hoping that we could miss a lot of the traffic going back to San Diego. We even detoured a little East, over to the I-15, but that didn't even work. Arriving home at 7pm, we were exhausted and hungry. And I still had to pack and get my boarding pass printed for my 1:30pm flight the next day.

Back in Chicago, I arrived safe but tired. I really enjoyed my trip, and boy do I wish I'd taken more pictures! We did get some ideas about places for a family reunion, tentatively set for sometime next summer.

I'll try not to let Mafia Wars abduct me again, because I know everyone was wondering if I'd ever blog again. Or maybe not. LOL