Creative Ramblings

Mexican Riviera Cruise

Day 1: We arrived in LA in the afternoon, caught the shuttle to the Port of LA, board the ship. The ship leaves the dock at 5:00 pm, shortly thereafter, I fell ill to sea sickness and spend the entire night in bed. :( Ryan wanders the boat and eats dinner without me.


Day 2: No sea sickness! We spent the day on the ship swimming, lying in the jacuzzi, drinking and gambling.

Day 3: We arrived in Cabo San Lucas and were immediately herded to our excursion tender which took us snorkeling in the Sea of Cortez. We weren't very good at it, at first, but we got the hang of it and were able to see some colorful fish, which we used water-proof cameras to preserve the moment (not yet developed). The surf was a little rough and the area was a bit crowded. We got back on the tender, had a snack and a few drinks and were then dropped off at the port. We wandered around for a bit, bought some Pomegranate Tequila, ate some delicious food and headed back to the ship to enjoy our couples massage/facial.
Day 4: We arrived in Mazatlan and again were herded to our excursion tender which took us to Stone Island for a "getaway". We were dropped off on the island and were escorted by "Mexican limos" to a restaurant with an open bar and private beach. We lounged in the sun and met some really great couples; Lauren & Noah, newlyweds from southern CA, Clare & Dan, newlyweds from LA and Pete & James, from Cape Cod, MA. We lounged in the sun, played in the salty Pacific Ocean about 40 yards out and still touching the soft sandy bottom, ate lunch, got drunk and beat the shit out of a piñata. Then played bingo on the ship.
Day 5: We arrived in Puerto Vallarta and were herded to our excursion bus. We drove through the city and learned a lot about the culture from our guide, Jose, who grew up there. We walked part of the boardwalk, saw amazing sculptures and an old church. We drove to a more rural area, past the all inclusive resort, otherwise known as the local prison, to the Tequila de casa. We had a short tour of how the tequila is made and then got to try the three different types they sell. We had lunch at the "Real Mexican Taco Bell" with the most delicious carne asada tacos made with tequila marinated beef and lovely margaritas. Then back to the ship.

Day 6 & 7: Two straight days at sea. We spent the time playing quite a bit of blackjack, swimming, drinking, eating and they offered scrapbooking classes, so I went to those. We hung out with our new friends in the library at the "Cigar Aficionados" meeting. We watched our friends participate in a game show called "Love & Marriage", hilarious. And really just relaxed.

Day 8: Arrived at the Port of LA, waited our turn to de-board, caught a ride from our friend Cory, had brunch, then headed to the airport to come home.

All in all a lovely vacation and one we will never forget. I highly recommend taking a cruise and know that this will not be our last. And maybe next time we'll take Morgan.

If you've not yet voted, be sure to get out there on Tuesday and rock it! I'll be there bright and early, joyfully choosing the next president and obtaining a happy little "I Voted" sticker to adorn my outfit (mainly for braggin' rights).

:::

I have Monday and Tuesday off due to lack of daycare, so if you want to stop by, I'll probably be here, pulling out my hair and screaming bloody murder. I was not meant to be a stay-at-home-mama.

Luckily, or not so, Morgan has her 3-year doctor's appointment tomorrow and I have a hair appointment, so that will keep us somewhat busy. And Tuesday I'm also watching Nikki's little girl, Gillian, so that will be fun.

:::

In more exciting news, we leave for our cruise in a week. Mexican Riviera here we come!

Our first stop is Cabo San Lucas where we have booked an afternoon of snorkeling in the Sea of Cortez. And plenty of time to explore.

Then on to Mazatlan where we've booked a 3-hour island tour (sound like Gilligan's Island to you?) with an open bar and lunch. And even more time to check the sights.

Then to Puerto Vallarta for a tequila factory tour (with samples!). And more time to shop, etc.

At some point we hope to try para-sailing. Who knows, maybe we'll decide to zip-line through the canopy of the high Sierra's or off-road through the Mexican desert. There are so many possibilities... and no kid to slow us down or keep us sober. Not to mention the spa on board where I hope to have a lovely massage, the casino where I can expect to lose some money and the rock wall where I'm sure to steer clear of.

I love stars! My living room is decorated in stars (not to be confused with America, which it is NOT).

Here are a few quilts I've made that adorn my living room:

Buggy Barn Star quilt:

Oh My Stars quilt (currently on the wall):

Big Star (almost finished and will be on the wall):

The thing is, I'm in a commercial for United Way. It starts airing next week on local and cable channels in the Utah Market.

Here is the 30 second and 15 second versions. Enjoy!
Also, I've been told that I will be on a bus billboard in the Salt Lake area... so keep your eyes peeled.

Ryan and I celebrated five years of marital bliss, yesterday.

I can't believe how much I adore him, even more and more every day...

*sigh*

I just want to be adored.

Is that so wrong?

So, I had pre-ordered Stephenie Meyer's next book in the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn on Amazon. The book is released on August 2^nd and I’ve been mentally counting down (no, I haven't made a paper braid to count down, although it has crossed my mind).

I went to Amazon’s website to check my order status and estimated shipping date and I just about shat myself, October 6^th? WHAT??? No way in hell am I going to wait an extra two months for that coveted book.

My friend and I checked Barnes & Noble and they are having release parties at certain locations, we chose a location and called them to sign up. They have us on the list and we’re guaranteed a book. Whew!

Since it is released at midnight, we’ll go, hang out, get the book and then have all weekend to sit around and read. I couldn’t be more stoked!

My head felt heavy, my nose stuffy and my throat sore. I figured it could only be one of two reasons, either it is a reaction from the major allergy attack from the previous night, or Morgan has graciously shared her cold with me. Either way, I feel like ass. And that I am not super happy about the way I feel.

Also, in my stuffy-headed attempt to grab everything as I’m running out the door to get to work, I forgot my Cherry Coke. If you know me, this is a tragedy; if you don’t know me, imagine a morning without your precious coffee. Cherry Coke is my morning coffee. To top it off, the vending machine, where I thought I could find my needed salvation, did not have Cherry Coke. I figured I could settle with plain Coca-Cola, but alas, the only bottle it had was stuck and I was forced to settle even further with a plain Pepsi. Don’t get me wrong, Pepsi is just fine and I was once committed to the sweet, syrupy beverage, but after a long and fruitful love affair with Cherry Coke, I cannot go back. I would have been happy with Cherry Pepsi, but again, none was available.

Because of all of the above events, I know this is going to be a bad day. And it’s only 8:45 AM.

Wish me luck.

1. Where did you meet? At a bar, ha ha... Area 51, actually. My friend Tracee introduced us. For me, it was lust at first sight. For him, well, that's another story.

2. What was the first thought that went through your head when you met? Mmm, bald, red beard, hazel/green eyes and nerdy glasses. Sooo MY kind of guy! *sigh*

3. Do you remember what he was wearing? Blue retro-style shirt, jeans and combat boots, *double sigh* I'm a sucker for a guy in combat boots!

4. Where was the first time you kissed this person? At my apartment in The Avenues after a night of lushy drinking at the bar, a cab ride home, the watching of some odd movie and a botched nail painting fiasco.

5. How did he ask you out? Another night at the bar (seriously, I know, you'd think I was an alcoholic), and yes, we were drunk and he told me that while he was camping, he had thought about me. My first response was "what'd you do that for?" then later it dawned on me that he was trying to tell me something without actually saying it. Duh! We were practically inseparable from that moment on.

6. Where did you go for your first date? We didn't technically have one. We hung out a lot before we were technically "together" (see answer to #5), but just as friends. We'd go to restaurants, pre-drink and go to the bar and see movies, preferably at Brewvies. And the relationship just kind of happened.

7. How long did you know this person before you became a couple? Two or three months, I think.

8. Has this person ever proposed to you? Of course... and although it wasn't utterly planned out or super romantic, and the fact that I knew he had the ring and I pouted until he gave it me, it was still memorable and I wouldn't change it for the world.

9. Do you and this person have kids together? Just the one and I'm pretty sure we're not planning on any more. Infertility will do that to a girl.

10. Have you ever broken the law together? Um, how about I just keep my mouth (or keyboard, as it were) shut.

11. When was the first time you realized you liked this person? The second I laid eyes on him. Sappy, I know.

12. Do you get along with this person ex's? Can't say I've ever met one or know the names of any.

13. What's the most expensive thing this person has given you? My wedding ring, of course... except I don't really know how much he paid for it and I don't want to know.

14. What is the one thing this person does that gets on your nerves? There are a few little things, but those things are too minute to bug me enough to blog about.

15. What is the one thing you do that gets on his nerves? I'm sure there's a whole slew of things he could tell you...

16. Where do you see each other in 15 years from now? Counting down the months until Morgan moves out... ha ha. I'd like to think we'd be traveling and enjoying what the world has to offer.

17. Wedding date? September 6, 2003 - Five years this year!

18. Wedding day memories? We didn't go all out, in fact, we preferred going to Vegas... but his mom insisted on having something here that the family could be a part of. We had a small ceremony in his grandfather's back yard with parents and grandparents only. Then a casual luau-style celebration with friends, family and a table of fruit, cheese and meatballs.

We have finally booked our cruise, however, we decided to do a 7 night Mexican Riviera cruise. And I'm stoked! The cruise ports in LA, to Cabo San Lucas, to Mazatlan, to Puerto Vallarta and back to LA.

I've not really been outside of the US with one small exception; when my sister and I went to a Mexican boarder town for a few hours when I was 15. Other than that, I've never experienced another country to any extreme.

We plan to book excursions apart from the cruise as was suggested by the Boss Lady and since Ryan speaks fluent Spanish, we should be set. I really want to go snorkeling and he's into the ATV tour. I'm sure we'll find time to do whatever it is we want. And, since we won't be taking the kid, we can do just about anything.

Now I just have to wait until November. *sigh*

Morgan:

• She is kind of a picky eater, which probably comes from me; she also has an incredible sweet tooth, again, probably from me.

• Morgan is obsessed with letters, numbers, shapes and colors. Will point them out to us any time she sees one and pretty much has them all memorized with very few exceptions. She has the Leap Frog fridge magnets that she will put in a purse/bag and carry around with her, she has bath-time letters that stick to the tile, and she has floor mat letters that she loves to get out. And endless books on all topics.

• And speaking of books, she LOVES books and story time. We read certain books so often, that she can now repeat them to us verbatim. She can’t read yet, but she thinks she can. Her favorite books are a couple of board books I picked up called Blankie and No No, Yes Yes I have to get more of these! both by Leslie Patricelli.

• Morgan is a singer! She loves to sing, whether it’s Itsy Bitsy Spider or Twinkle, Twinkle or the ABC’s, she seems to be singing all the time. She’ll even make up songs and belt them out, no matter where we are or what we’re doing. And it’s always LOUD!

• She is fascinated by money. Not just any kind of money, but coins. And all coins, no matter color or size are pennies. If she spots one, which she is getting really good at doing, she’ll tell you she wants it and that she “wants to put it in her bank.” The kid has over $50 in her Discovery Kids counting bank. Seriously.

• Morgan also enjoys movies and television and will ask for her favorites at any time of day or night. Luckily, we have DVR, without which, we would have a lot more temper tantrums to deal it. Her favorites include, but are not limited to: Dora The Explorer, Teletubbies, Sesame Street, Mickey’s Clubhouse, Jojo’s Circus, Curious George and her new fave, Thomas the Tank Engine.

• She has this thing with lining stuff up. I’m not sure if it’s residual OCD from the womb, or if it’s just a natural thing kids do. But, she will unload her diapers and line them up across the floor, all face up. She will take her letters off the fridge and place one in each square of the linoleum floor. She will also line them up across the fridge. She’ll even line up colored pencils and then tell you it’s her choo-choo train.

• She also loves to draw. Only she not very coordinated yet, so she asks us to draw them for her. From Dora and Boots to Thomas and his friends. This is especially fun for her on her Magna-doodle, because she will erase everything we just drew and ask us to draw them, again. She has asked us to draw letters and has even spelled out her name. Amazing!

• Morgan has a woobie. A blankie that we bought for her before we knew she was a girl, it is a pastel lime green with slightly darker green stars. A blankie that is her best friend, her comforter, the one thing she cannot live without. She can’t sleep without it and will usually have to take it with her wherever she goes. When she settles down for a nap, she goes around the binding of it with her thumb and forefinger until she finds the right spot. I swear, that Blankie book mentioned above was written just for her.

Alright, so I thought I would share a few more of my crafty endeavors. Let me start by telling you about my kitchen... it is decorated in cherries, if you couldn't already tell from the last quilt pic.

Here is a small corner of my small kitchen:

When we moved in, everything was white on white, so we added the red.

Here is my fruit bowl quilt that I made that is on the pantry door:

And a small hand embroidered decoration:


And there you have it. Now you've been in my kitchen.

Uh, I thought I would write about my typical day, but it bored me to even put it into words, so I scratched that. Instead, I thought I'd post one of my quilt projects, at least that will be somewhat interesting.

This is my Cherry Quilt that currently resides in my kitchen:



I will continue to post pictures of quilts if/when I'm unable to find anything interesting to write about.

Ryan wiped Morgan's nose with a tissue and proceeds to show her what he found:

Ryan: Look at that booger, Morgan!

Morgan: That's disgusting, Daddy.

:::

And this is where I laughed my ass off. She is officially mini-me.