Britain, Bookstores and Buses

We've been to Europe once and it was a very short trip. We left the kids at home with California Gramma and took off for a week to Great Britain searching bookstores for used out of print Christian books. We didn't find many but saw quite a bit of the island by train. I fell in love with the beautiful country-side with stately sea-side castles, sheep and shepherds wandering the back streets of lonely villages, woolen mills, red double-decker buses, quaint old-fashioned musty hotels from the nineteenth century that cost an arm and a leg, the black taxi cabs of Edinbourgh, huge, busy round-abouts that scared me silly only because I wasn't used to the speed used to get around them, tea at a little old lady's totally locked up home (a key in EVERY door!) with a country-city garden, and a bookstore in the basement of well maintained upper class home. Ironically enough, B got the biggest find of used books ever, the week after we got home. I would love to go back.

Chuggy's Hawaiian Birthday

Honolulu Harry's -- One fabuluous restuarant

My sister was born in Hawaii the year after it was made a state. So all things Hawaiian pertain to her and Kedj, who was born there as well.

On her birthday we drove for about an hour to a Hawaiian restuarant that was a total surprise to all of us. (Can you tell we like surprises in this family?)

Well, the surprise was well worth the anticipation. The decor brought back memories of days spent on the island growing up. But the food was out of this world. (Sorry, Mom, but I don't remember you cooking like this!)

The appetizers were unlike I have ever seen before. B ordered a number of them. Sweet potatoes coated in coconut and deep fried were my favorite.

Marinated chicken in lettuce wraps and all kinds of sauces filled us up even before the main courses arrived.

The food was fabulous and I would love to go back for more. But alas, the restuarant is only about 1400 miles away.




A little Hawaiian girl who doesn't know whether she is married or not. A flower on one side says she is but the other says she isn't.
Don't you wear warm red wooly socks on your ears?
Gramma and three of her grandsons.

Part II of A Well Planned Surprise

To continue... As we were waiting in the parking lot next door we spied Jailgy and Da who drove up beside us. Mom and Kedj arrived soon after but parked in Datillo's parking lot where they would not be able to see us. I think Mom thought something was up, but certainly not to the extent that we had planned, because she told us later she scanned the parking lot in her immediate surroundings for familiar cars. I really don't think she was expecting either Babbyboebee or me. She was just looking for her local off-spring.

I hope it was not too much of a shock for her. We did space out our arrivals so that we would not all surprise her at once. Maybe that's too mean too. One shock after another.

Jailgy and Da came first and told Gramma that they wanted to join them and make it a party. Soup walked in next and then Chuggy with all the gifts.

The pushy "waiter" (Babbyboebee) came next and try to refill Mom's water glass, much to her chagrin. Apparently her double take was priceless. When I put my arm around her a few minutes later she was truly surprise that I was not actually experiencing damp Vancouver weather as she was led to believe by our phone conversation. I know that she was really surprised because she was actually shaking and started (continued?) to cry.

I haven't had so much fun planning and executing a surprise in such a long time. It was so much fun that I would do it again. Now let's see. Whose birthday is next?

A Well Planned Surprise

No pics today. I have the camera but can't load up because the connecting cord is home in Canada.

I woke up at 4AM on the day of my departure because I can't stand to hear the alarm and I know it would have awakened B too early. It was set for 4:57 but when I saw 4:01 I thought I might as well get up and get my bags in the car and do some other last minute things. I don't know what I was thinking when I set the alarm for that time other than that I guess I thought I could get ready and out the door in record time of 13 minutes. We left the house at 5:10 and got to the airport almost three hours early. It was waaaaay tooo early. I got through ticketing, customs, immigration and screening in about 15 minutes and had to wait for two hours and 45 minutes for my flight. A good long time to enjoy a Starbucks!

Needless to say the flight was uneventful. I did get a whole row to myself which was really nice.

I arrived in S.D. early even though my plane left Vancouver 45 minutes late. Go figure. Jailgy picked me up about 20 minutes after my plane landed and we went to lunch at Togo's. I haven't been there since she lived in Union City. The avocado on the sandwich sure hit the spot. We were both very good and shared a sandwich and had only water and not pop.

After arriving in H we tried to meet up with Chuggy at WalMart (and no, I didn't buy anything...yet!) Since she was doing her chauffeuring rounds with her kids we missed her and caught up with her at Henry's right by Mom's house. Chuggy took me home to her house where we waited for Babbyboebee to wake up. He had arrived earlier after working all night the night before and desperately needed his sleep. Soup showed up shortly after and it was then time to head off to the restaurant for Mom's birthday dinner. As we waited in the parking lot next door we felt like little kids anticipating our own birthday party. Soon we spied Jailgy and Da and they rolled up beside us. I then started to get nervous and commented to Babbyboebee that this was as nerve racking as my own wedding! (Well, maybe not as, but almost.) We were so pleased that we were going to be able to pull this off. And we did! Next episode later.

Beck's Socks

Her favorite color is still red. She wears it well. Even her husband has admitted that yes, sorry to say, red suits her. At least these will not be the kind of object you wear in public.


They are more for wearing around the house on a cold winter day. Not that it ever gets really cold in Hemet. But these will be warm enough to ward off that early morning chill before the afternoon heats up.

Her birthday is on the 23rd. Do you think I can get them done? There are two.

Babies, babies, babies

The last of the expected babies was born almost three weeks ago. Now there are four very little ones here in our assembly. From oldest to youngest (back to front) there are PC, PY, "Bob" and Prince D. After years of "drought" we've finally had a hay day! They are all beautiful and so very precious.

"He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." Isaiah 41:11

Oh! Suzanna!

I know. We should have called her Susie. After her aunt. But who would have thunk it. A banjo player.

New Knitting Horizons

I thought I would try my hand at knitting a shawl. This yarn came in the mail the other day that is so soft and beautiful. The pattern I got on line and looks like a challenge. Hoo Boy! Don't look for results any time soon. I will post my progress but can't promise any speed. It will definitely be a change from wallabys and socks.

Coffee Time

So, we've been away to Denver. Alas, there are no pics, but one. And it's ugly. Because it's a long trip (about 24 hours) we utilize the local coffee shop over the gas station coffee to help keep us awake. Starbucks is the number one pick because they are so consistent. But when I'm home I prefer to make my own. Except when I'm feeling especially lazy. Which is too often.
Here's what I see when I splurge at the drive through at Starbucks and then spend a "million dollars".
Home is much better and FAR cheaper. Besides, I don't have to dress up and go out and pretend I'm a YUPPIE that I'm definitely not. I can stay at home and be an "at home mom."
Even though it's much cheaper at home you still have to bite the bullet and buy the espresso machine. (We did years ago). I enjoy getting up in the AM and making my coffee just the way I like it. Nice and hot. Not too much chocolate. And good creme that I can swirl out with my fingers. (Don't worry. My fingers are clean.) The convenience cup I use when I'm in a hurry to go out the door to take LJ to school. In my "Un-yuppie" clothes.