Carpinteria

Our little haven

The weekend already seems so long ago, it is amazing how quickly our minds can loose a thought or a feeling. We arrived in Carpinteria at 10:30 on Thursday night. It was Andy's last day of work, so we had to wait until he got home. By that time, there would have been terrible traffic, so we went to dinner with some family and then hit the road. There was NO traffic and we zipped right up there. We pulled into our gorgeous spot ON THE BEACH and felt the waves of relaxation wash over us. Carp is great... when I say ON THE BEACH...that is exactly what I mean. The back end of the motorhome was hanging over the sand. It is AWESOME.

We had dressed the kids in p.j.'s and put them in their beds for the drive, so they were already out cold when we arrived. Andy and I took advantage of that fact, and sat a while on the sand in the light of the full moon and listened to the roar of the ocean. We reminisced about sitting on the shores of the Indian Ocean, falling in love and how we never could have imagined our lives being what they are today. We have a GOOD life, a GREAT life. We just sat there, taking it all in. Finally, our beds called and we gave in to a great night's sleep.

This was my view of Gavin all weekend long

The weekend was spent on the beach and in the ocean. We just played and relaxed. When we got there on Thursday night, I was admiring the lights that the camp site next to us had put in the trees. It looked like a magazine and so very "vacationy", I was envious that we had not brought our lights. This weekend is one of our only getaways this summer, and I really wanted to just enjoy it. Andy got up on Friday morning and needed to run to the store for ice and a few other things that we had forgotten, so he hopped on his bike and was off. He is THE best husband ever, because he not only came back with ice and beer... he bought me LIGHTS! AND a BEACH CHAIR!!! He too, really wanted me to enjoy the weekend and boy, did I!

I read a book (NOT a text book) all weekend long... I decided to start "Love In The Time Of Cholera" on our last trip and had only gotten a few pages in. I read half of the book and am LOVING it! I can't wait 'till our 4th of July weekend, when I will get to finish it!

I got some sun, sat in my chair, ate yummy food (but not too much) and watched the kids PLAY. Ella decided that she loves the ocean and Gavin made tons of friends and played in the waves, dug in the sand and tried his hand at boogie boarding. I hardly saw that kid all weekend. Ella got stung by a bee, poor thing....and Andy played in the water and with the kids and we all just had such a wonderful time (except for the bee stinging part). We showered that night and felt all clean and shiny. Oh, that is the other thing that Carpinteria has... HOOK UPS! That means water and electricity in the motorhome... these are BIG. The kids crashed and Andy and I sat outside, listened to Jimmy Buffet and Jack Johnson (the Curious George song guy) and loved the waves and the moon and my lights in the trees. That night the Grunion (lil fish who come up onto the beach to lay eggs) were running.. so we sauntered down to the waves to watch. It was really very interesting and we thought that it was really funny that there were so many humans on the beach all waiting to watch, "fish sex". They don't actually "do" anything, the female digs a hole, lays the eggs and then the males flop up and make their contribution. After that, they all head back down to the water!

This is BEFORE the bee sting - Ella in her "itsy, bitsy, kind of teeny, yellow, polka dot tankini"

On Saturday, we had company! Andy's cousin lives in Lompoc and he, his wife and 2 year old daughter came to hang out with us for a couple of hours. Right about the time they were getting ready to pack up and head out...our friends from Santa Barbara stopped in. A buddy of mine from college days, who went to UC Santa Barbara, came with his wife and their 2 year old daughter. The girls left after a while to head home, but he stayed to have dinner and relax. Of course we talked about the "good ol days" and laughed and stayed up way too late.

Sunday came to soon, and it was time to pack up and head out. Before going home, we went into town to have lunch. We really wanted to treat ourselves...we rarely eat out when we are camping, but heck...this was our vacation! We went to "Senor Frogs" and had the most wonderful lunch. The restaurant was relaxed and peaceful and the kids were so incredibly well behaved and the food was excellent! Gavin ordered off of the regular menu, which he read by himself! He was so proud and so were we! We then walked across the street to the candy store which has just about every candy you could want, and a red and white checkered floor and big white paper bags that they put your purchases in. We each chose something yummy and then, the trip was done. We drove home with little traffic and enjoyed dinner with Andy's parents. Then it was off to prep for our new schedule. School for me, and day camp for the kids and summer school for Andy. I put my head down on the pillow relaxed and refreshed (and tan!) and ready for the adventure that I was about to begin.

Wants vs. Needs

I want to post... I want to read (a novel).... I want to watch t.v.... I want to read to my kids
I need to study... I need to read (textbooks)... I need to write...I need to sleep.

Our weekend was glorious... today was tedious... my buns hurt from 6 hours in a chair...my neck and shoulders are kinked and my mind is a blur. I have looked at the "new way" of doing things...all of the info for my classes is online... it is different.. but kind of cool... once I get used to it. Andy did a fabulous job today... he got the shopping done, and the laundry, and the kids are showered and off to bed.

I will do what I need to do.... and save my wanting for another day... until then...

SUMMERTIME!!!!

Well... it is officially here! Not only is school out, but today was 89 degrees and GORGEOUS!!!
It got hot enough in the house to need the A/C on so that I could get some work done, but I only had it on for about 2 hours during the late afternoon. We are catching a lovely ocean breeze and it is wonderful outside, I wish that my hubby and I were out there enjoying our patio and an icy beverage together, but.. he is doing dishes, and I am... well... supposed to be packing, but here on the computer instead.

The kids enjoyed the first 2 days of the week, without much to worry about. They played at Gramma and Grampas house on Monday while I went to my orientation for the Masters program. It was very overwhelming...but I handled it with a few deep breaths and a reminder, that I will be fine!

The kids spent Tuesday with Gramma and Grampa again while I worked and today, they started their summer programs! Ella will go to preschool every morning, I will pick her up on my lunch break, run her up to the pool for her swim lesson and I will get to watch her swim while I eat my lunch. Andy will work until 12 noon and then meet us at the pool, have his lunch with Ella and then take her home (or off to run errands). I will go back to class and meet up with Gavin who will have summer day camp at Broadoaks every day until 4:00! He will take a 2 week break from that to go to Sports Camp, but that is later this summer. He will get to do the Science Acadamies and Music, Art, and Cooking Acadamies! This week they are working on Maps and starting the Music Acadamy! He had a great time today and was glad to be reunited with some of his preschool buddies!

We already signed up for the summer reading programs at the library and look forward to our weekly visits there. We started reading "Winnie the Pooh" and I plan to read that and "House at Pooh Corner" to them during the summer...I really hope we can finish them both! In addition to all of that... we have decided to make every night at mini "family night" since we will have all been at different activities all day, we thought that it would be nice to "reconnect". We are going to working on a program to learn Spanish! (any of you who remember me trying to learn in college might be shocked.. but, I think that I really DID learn a little bit!) We have a kit that we are using and it has a set of CD's and great activity books... we have done 2 already and know how to say "Me llamo ....", "Vivo en...." and played "Juan Dice" (Simon says). We are working on a silly alphabet song, but it is tough!

Gavin has started his "Summer Quest" which is a great program that we used last summer too. It is a workbook with fun activities and worksheets that act as a summer "bridge" to help him keep his 1st grade skills and start building his 2nd grad skills. It also has ideas for "Adventure Days" which are just fun things to do together and we will do these on Saturdays. This weekend we are making giant chalk drawings of ourselves and having Lunch Pizzas.

I did say that I was supposed to be packing, right? Oh, that is becasue .... 7 months ago, I booked us a rockin campsite at Carpinteria ON THE BEACH!!!! We were hoping to leave tomorrow around 12 noon, but Andy really needs to work all day to prep for Summer School, so we will head out after dinner. It will be cooler and there won't be any traffic. I baked cookies and cornbread tonight to take with us. I did all of the laundry and have clothes packed for the kids. Most of the food is all ready in the motorhome too...

I had better finish that up... AND I still need to pay bills.....and work all day tomorrow! Tomorrow is my last day of work, until after school is out! Wow! 6 weeks off!!! I haven't done that since Ella was born! I will most likely go in a few hours here and there to keep things organized and not too far behind (besides, I nee MONEY!) and I think that I will do money stuff on Sundays after church.

I am excited and nervous and ... I dunno... just wondering how this summer will go.... I guess that it will go FAST!

Off... and running....

Updates

I have been feeling REALLY good lately (except for the unbearable exhaustion...but, hey...I am a mom!) so I thought that I would share about it!

I have been busy, but not stressing about all of the things that I need to get done. I feel much calmer and more centered, but I am not sure why. I don't know if something is different...or if it is just my state of mind. Yes, I know that means that something is different, but... My days have seemed longer, but my weeks shorter. I have been getting most of my to do lists done, and feeling very calm about it all.

My stomach is good. I have only had to take the Prilosec one day since stopping. Remember, the directions say to take it for 14 days and then, stop. While I was on my scrapbooking retreat, I really ate poorly and paid the price with some serious indigestion, heart burn and general yuckiness so I took one pill and was back on track. I have also been sleeping really well.

The diet continues to be a success too! I have now lost 12 pounds and even though I did not have any loss last week...I know why and I will do better this week. We have been to a lot of parties lately and when faced with all of that yummy food I just have a little bit of everything and end up eating way to many calories. I am starting to think that my goal of 140 is not low enough to look the way that I want to, and I may continue on to try for 135. That would put me at the weight I was when I got married and I think that I looked pretty darn good. Heck, I wore a bikini on our cruise! I will NOT be wearing a bikini any time soon, however... the babies have left their marks and the tummy will never fully recover!

I worked out today! I have continued to walk Gavin to school almost every day, but the morning yoga and strength training never really stuck. My mom and stepdad just opened a gym near my home, in fact...it is closer than Gavin's school! I walked there today and it took me 15 minutes! I did all of the weight machines in two rounds which took me a half hour and then I walked home. I helped Andy prep dinner and then I showered while he finished it up. So, I am all ready for bed, except for brushing my teeth, which I will do as soon as I get off of the computer! (This is major for me, because there are lots of nights that I....fall asleep on the couch watching t.v. and Andy comes to help me get to bed and I just fall in with my clothes on...I know, it is very gross and really does not fit my personality...but... like I said earlier.... I am TIRED!)

The oven did finally get fixed and I can't remember if I told you that or not. But, it did. The correct part was ordered and took 2 weeks to come in, but when it did the technician came right out and it was fixed within 5 minutes. YEAHHH!!! I baked muffins THAT day, and have since made an egg casserole for breakfast, cinnamon rolls, coffee cake, muffins again and a pork roast. I love having my oven back up and running!

We planted quite a bit to get ready for a "Gramma Shower" that we had at our house last weekend. We finished the pots on the porch... that is the photo at the top of the post! We also put some plants into the back yard and patio area. The fountain and the fan on the porch were used during the party and were appreciated by all. I found an inexpensive table, couch and chair set at World Market and we might just go and buy it. I could study on the patio!!!!

My financial aid paperwork is finally completed and I was awarded loans to cover all expenses plus an additional $2000. We talked about not accepting the additional funds, but we are really unsure of how much I will be able to work during my 6 weeks in school, so we will take it and sock it away and use it if we need it. I felt better to be safe, than sorry (and eating beans all summer) I am hoping to buy my books tomorrow and I will be working LATE to try to get all of the stuff done that needs to be done, before I start classes on the 23rd. I am a little nervous, but excited. I got my bookbag, and my folders are labeled....I know that I am a big nerd but it helps me feel like I have some sense of control.

I got to see baby Kelsey this weekend. I not only saw her, but got to hold and cuddle and ooh and goo over her. She is a little itty bity thing, but oh, so sweet. She is one special baby, and we all pray that her life will be one of joy and happiness. She will have challenges, but her parents are ready and willing to do whatever it takes to help her grow and develop. You can follow her story and see her beautiful birth announcement here: http://sweetpeakurtz.blogspot.com/This is Gavin's last week of school and he has grown up so much this year. Less tantrums and lots more cooperation. It seems that in the last two months of school, he has finally gotten the hang of it. We have been having loads of fun and we are going to be reading about Ancient Egypt tonight as we continue to make our way through the "What your 1st Grader Needs To Know" book! The kids are heading in right now, to get ready for bed and Andy is going to go to the gym, so I should wrap this up and get to it.

Summer is right around the corner and we are all excited for the adventures that await!

The Kitchen...at last!

note the "country" hardware from the "before" photo

I know that you have been waiting, on the edge of your seat for this post....well, mabe only my husband has.... The kitchen is finished! O.K., finished is not really the word, because if it was FINISHED I would have NEW cabinets, a wall would have been moved, there would be new countertops, flooring and appliances. We are doing our house in a basic 77 phase plan (ha ha) and much of what we will do in the next few years is just "sprucing up" what we have. Nothing too major (read, "expensive") or disruptive.

The original plan to "spruce up" the kitchen was to paint the cabinets, replace all of the old (ugly) hardware, refinish the bar, and replace the (horrid) yellow linoleum. Andy has finished the cabinets, the bar will wait until we have time to devote to it and the floor will have to wait until after summer, when I will resume my regular hours and my regular paycheck.

The cabinets were pine and I honestly love the look of wood cabinets over painted, but the finish was very old and had yellowed badly. Not to mention the fact that the wood was a completely different color under the hardware, making it impossible to replace unless the cabinets were refinished. The yellowish cabinetry, combined with the mustard yellow walls and yellow floor were really too much and made the space look small and dingy (no matter how many 100 watt bulbs I put in there!) The hardware was just plain ugly to me, although I have since seen it used in a way that I like, it just didn't "do it" for me in our kitchen. So we plowed ahead without any real "plan" and Andy began to dissasemble the entire kitchen. The job took longer than expected and the final touches were done while I was away at my scrapbooking weekend. I think that Andy did a great job and the white cabinets (after getting used to them) look spectacular...the room is much brighter and even looks a little bigger! I might add some details to them, but for now...I am pleased! I also LOVE the hardware that we chose and plan on removing it and putting it onto our new cabinets...maybe in 5 years we will get that "dream" kitchen going on?

Here are the before...and after photos.....please ignore how much crap is plastered to the front of my refrigerator...in my "dream home" I have a playroom with a giant bulletin board for the children's art work...in my "real home" it is all on the fridge!

I forgot to take "before" shots, before Andy started to take it all apart!

Here it is! All sparkly and new!

A close up of the new hardware...I love the cool design!

The bar is next and we have an exciting plan for it... the top will be extra super cool and involves broken stained glass and the cabinets will be the same as the kitchen...part of the bar is in the family room and we don't know if we should paint it white, or the wall color of the family room. The main problem there is that the family room has not been painted yet, as you can see in the picture, it is yellowish, outdated paneling... a project for "later"! Stay tuned.....