The reason for my flakery... or a quick catch up.

Hello~hello! So sorry to have kept you lovely people waiting, I'm afraid the past couple of days have been packed beyond blogging capability. Let's play catch up real quick!

So! I moved my niece Ana down to Santa Barbara this weekend. I've never been to Santa Barbara before, it's a beautiful city! I think Ana is really going to have a good time there. Hopefully not *too* much of a good time, she is there to attend college after all... We drove down Saturday, met up with some friends for dinner and a walk up and down the pier, the beach, then State Street which was alive with revelers. We happened into town during the final night of the Old Spanish Days Festival, perfect timing! A lively fiesta was in full swing when we arrived, there was confetti, music, food and laughter everywhere! I told Ana the festival was being thrown in her honor, seeing as how she moved to town that day :o) She rolled her eyes at me if I remember correctly. Puh, kids...

This guy is ready to party!

Next morning we moved her in to her little apartment. She's sharing a 2 bedroom / 1 bath flat with three other girls. All college freshman. Oh, the fun they'll have!! But 4 girls vs. 1 tiny bathroom? We'll see... It was strange leaving her there. I knew I needed to hit the road, I had another 6 hour drive home, but when it came time for me to go, it felt weird not to have her with me. I'm gonna miss that kid. But look how happy she is!

My happy girl!

My drive home was long, boring and uneventful... nothing exciting to share. I made good time, six hours right on the nose. When I got home, I kept telling myself, blog! blog! blog! You promised you'd be back with Lisa & Jill's Big Day In The City Part II! But... girls, I just couldn't... I was beat. Driving does that, ya know?

Monday was fun! A quick morning passed at work, then a co-worker and I took off to the city for a San Francisco Giants game, it was Jerry Garcia Tribute Night!

As you may or may not already know, I am a Deadhead. Love those boys. I have a lot of great memories of music, laughter and friendship associated with that band. Bob Weir and Phil Lesh, two of the original members of the Grateful Dead were there last night to sing the National Anthem, as well as Jerry's daughter Annabelle to throw out the first pitch. Good times! In the 7th inning stretch, Phil and Bill Kreutzmann, another original member lead the crowd in a resounding rendition of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" on kazoo! They were trying to break a World Record for largest kazoo ensemble. I don't know if they did, but it was fun anyway.

Got me some new GD swag too, yes I did! Some of it looks like this...

It was a long but exciting game with two extra innings due to a 3/3 tie. But in the end the Giants win!!

 

This superfan was sitting right behind me. I liked her sign. I think everyone in attendance had a great time last night, except the Chicago Cubs fans... boo.

Two extra innings resulted in a late, late night. I didn't get home until after 1:00am. Oi!

Today... not as much fun. I'm sick again. More summer sinus headaches, coupled with a runny nose, sore throat and ear aches. I've been told that I burn the candle at both ends...I think that it's caught up with me. But it sure is fun along the way!

Feeling (not so) groovy, but always yours truly,

Lisa

Beautiful Blog Award

Well Hello Y'all!

We're busy as ever around these parts, and I have lots to share with you, but check it out! I was tagged for a Beautiful Blog Award, woohoo! Have you ever checked out Felt Like Stitchin? If you haven't, mosey on over there, it's a comfy friendly place!

 Now I'm supposed to share 10 interesting things about myself... hm. Let's see what I can come up with... I'll try not to be a bore, and I'll try not to ramble, but you know how I can be sometimes... 

1.  Year before last, I'd had enough of looking the way I did and feeling bad about myself, so I set out to change something only I was able to. My weight. I lost (although "lost" isn't the right word... "forced off" is more like it) 100 pounds. No magic bullet. A lot of sweat and a lot of very careful choices. This last year has been very challenging for me physically & personally, and I've slacked off my healthy habits. I've gained a little back. Losing is easier than maintaining. Getting back on track is a struggle, but I'm getting there :o)

2.  In my early 20's, my greatest ambition was to take a year off and follow the Grateful Dead with my brother and a couple of our buddies. Ahh... good times. I still go see the remaining members whenever I possibly can. Great music. Their reputation overshadows their talent, which is vast. Need any recommendations? I'm your girl.

3.  I could take down an entire carton of mint chip ice cream if left to my own devices. But not just any mint chip. It has to be Thrifty's Mint Chip. Don't even need a bowl. Just a spoon... dangerous. Might have been a contributing factor to #1, ya think? Chocolate Malted Crunch comes in a close second. Close.

4.  I sort of have an obsession with teapots and Jadite Glass. I'm running out of space. Scratch that. I'm out of space. I'm secretly afraid I'm going to end up like one of those ladies on Hoarders. *shiver*

5.  I love geocaching! Have you heard of it? It's a fun hide & seek game played with GPS all over the world. I'm still new at it, but it's really addicting. I've gotten a couple of friends addicted too.

6.  I'm related (distantly) to Sherriff Pat Garrett. He is famous for killing Billy The Kid. My mothers maiden name is Garrett, and he's her great, great uncle. Cool, yeah?

7.  I ride a scooter whenever possible. I'm like, literally in love with my Vespa. I bought a pack of fabric baby diapers to polish her with. If I worked in the same town as I live in, I think I'd be tempted to sell my car.

8.  All my life I've been a serious night owl. However, recently I can't keep my lids open past midnight or so... some people say that is late. On contraire mo fraire... 3am. That's late. I still do it on the weekends, but I pay dearly in the mornings. Especially work day mornings.

9.  I'm the only one in my family that doesn't have tattoos. Including my mom. She started getting them on her 50th b-day. She has three now... they're all really pretty. I love beautiful tattoo work, I'm just too indicisive. I can't commit. I want to though... someday...

10. I love to read, I'm in two seperate book blubs. One meets every month, the other meets every other month. I don't watch much TV, it's on, but it's like background noise.

11. BONUS!! I have something REALLY cool to share with you tomorrow. Seriously cool. I can't believe I've managed to keep it under my hat actually.

Well hey! I managed to name not 10, but 11 things that you may not have already known about me that are (hopefully) mildly interesting! That's a feate considering what a blabbermouth I am.

Ok, so stay tuned because tomorrow I'm coming back with something timely and cool. Did I mention it was cool??? Oh yes... it's cool allright, and it concerns you, Twihards!!!

See you on the flip side!

oxo,

Lisa

p.s. Oh! I almost forgot, I'm supposed to pass this award along by tagging 10 more Beautiful Bloggers...

1. Two Boys and a Beagle

2. Tea With Friends

3. Roxy Creations

4. MafiosaGrrl

5. Little Nest Studio

6. My Cup of Tea

7. Tea and Talk

8. Vegkat's Yarns

9. Giggly Mama

10. Sew Lovely Embroidery

Have fun you crazy kids!

The Wind In The Willows Played Tea For Two...

The sky was yellow and the sun was blue!

Strangers stoppin' strangers just to shake their hand,

Everybody's playing in the Heart of Gold Band, Heart of Gold Band

~Scarlet Begonias

Ahh, there's nothing like a Grateful Dead show!

That's one of my "not so passing fancies", I've been a Dead fan for many, meany years. Some of the best music anywhere, and for me it's timeless and just as powerful as it was the first time I heard it. It's music that moves me and touches my heart. Most songs are stories, and I like stories. I was fortunate enough to see the Grateful Dead 8 or 9 times before the late Jerry Garcia made his early exit, each show was unique and wonderful. My brother, Greg and I along with a handful of our friends would go every chance we had.

Hmmm, good times.

This week we were lucky enough to see a show when The Dead (all four of the original remaining members as well as some new additions) played the Shoreline Ampetheater in Mountain View, California. We had lawn seats, so the view of the stage wasn't the best, but truthfully, it's more fun on the lawn anyway!

What a great time we had. Just as always this show was special and unique for us, my brothers son, Josiah who is 6 years old went with us and got to see his first Dead show! He had a blast!

We all did, really.

A late night, but a great night! I didn't get home until just before 2:30am and I was a zombie next day at work, but it was so worth it!

From the top is my handsome nephew, Josiah. Brother extrordinare, Greg, and my beautiful sister-in-law, Apryl.

My wonderful friends Lorna & Aaron

Yours truly and my "other brother" Justin.

Nothin' left to do but smile, smile, smile!