Home at last

After a week of living it up in the Bahamas, I'm home. I have a ton of great memories and a nice tan to show for my trip.

Back to the reality of work and snow.

Next on my list - Jamacia in April.

Where is Monday?

I woke up this morning only to find my car covered in inches of cold, fluffy white stuff. SNOW UGH…My car starter Santa brought me can not get installed fast enough. There I was in my heels, dress pants and pea coat scraping away as thoughts of the Grand Bahamas danced in my head. Someone really needs to rethink the dress code for winter.

This is by far the first time I have ever wished it to MONDAY. You see, Monday I am flying to a far away warm place with crystal clear blue waters for meetings that I do not have to attend but probably will only because I am a good sport like that. I decided way back in July that since work would not send me to this little meeting that all my friends were attending; to take it upon myself to hook up with my gal pal who is going. I am using vacation time while attending the meeting as her guest. Brilliant plan if you ask me.

While attending as her guest, I will enjoy a few Yacht parties on the Adrianna III whilst I rub elbows with some muckity mucks and drink until my hearts content. I can not wait to see old friends from last year’s Cayman trip and catch up on business matters of the heart or um…something like that.

Then I can either golf or snorkel with the group but I think I will just lie my hiney on the beach basking in the rays catching up on some much needed zzzzzzz’s.

Right now, it is not a bad start to 2008.

Cowboy Country

We arrived tattered and torn in Dallas from a long week of San Fran running around and now on down to Texas. We agreed it would be an early night and an easy one for dining as Saturday was going to be action packed from the break of dawn to the setting of dusk.

We started off with a tour of Texas Stadium, who would have thought a grown man would get so excited about a Stadium. However, this just is not any old Stadium it isthe home of the Dallas Cowboys, America’s Team. The day started off early as we had to get there so we could see the locker room before they closed them for the big game Sunday.

After three failed field goal attempts and me not being able to lead the wide receiver we headed up through the Cowboys tunnel to the locker room. But not after an awesome catch by yours truly. You know it is a great catch when the cleaning crew is cheering from the bleachers. Why I am not a wide receiver, I will never know.

Back to the locker room talk, there we found where Tony Romo not only dresses, but showers and drinks from the water fountain before and after game time. I, however, was thrilled about where Marion Barber was stationed for game time dress and of course undresses. MEOW ladies…

I got to see some very cool views from all over the luxury boxes and various stops along the way. I must say it was a very cool experience and probably a once in a life time chance. “T” was in his glory, I mean really, he’s so in love with the Dallas Cowboys it is not even funny.

After our little jaunt of Texas Stadium we heading on over to Six Flags. However, not before we took out small business loans to buy our Cowboy gear – which with we can now start our very on pro shop here in jingletown. Six Flags was so much fun.

There was a ton of people and we almost got arrested for buying a ticket from another individual. Who would have thought you can not buy amusement tickets from someone who had an extra because his friend could not come to his dad’s work picnic. The guy was trying to save us a few bucks.

We headed home after a long hot day of rides, standing in line and of course eating everything that is NOT good for you so we could do it again for supper. Once we got all cleaned up we headed into the West End area of Dallas. There we or I found my first birthday present, a horse and carriage ride of the city. It was very thoughtful, sweet and romantic.

We had dinner afterwards, on the rooftop of a sports bar, where I got carded. AGAIN, getting told my DL had expired. I calmly said, it’s not the 29th of October, it is the 13th. As I thought, why can nobody read the full date before questioning me?

After that we walked around the city had a few brew ha ha’s and headed back to the hotel to get ready for GAME DAY.

Which I will blog about later…I know I know, but I have to keep you coming back and it is just really too much for one posting.

West Coast Gallivant

As you all know due to hype I boasted about this trip I am about to unload the key highlights. Hopefully with interest of OOOOssss and AHHHHsss from the readers. If not, sorry.

Our Monday began at 4AM as we climbed into the hotel shuttle as we were destined for San Francisco first. Arrival went without any sna-fu’s so of course, life is good. Well, wait, security checked my DL and apparently cannot read the date. He cheerfully said, "um, no flight for you, DL is expired." I quickly or rather smugly said, "Excuse me, today is the 9th not the 29th. Unless I missed something where October wasn't ending on the 31st. " "O you are right, carry on." A smart ass smirk was given. However, I am glad to know they are looking closely.

Check in was smooth and the hotel room somewhat meh-blah. I shirked as I looked out the window to find my rooftop view of my itty bitty hotel room.

My room in San Diego was a trumph, this room on the scale of 1 – 5 a zero. However, the bed and pillows were a huge hit. Very comfy and I sunk deep in as I laid my head down each night. T said, “I am a hotel room snob.” My reply, “I want a good room with a great view if I am flying across country for a seminar.”

After the unpacking, we whisked away back to the Airport to catch the BART, the local subway system. This was actually very cool, however it smelled of bad something or other. A not so clean musty odor, but it was cheap, fast and OOO the ogling I did of people.

We hit Powell Street and headed right for the treat of the Trolley Ride. All I could think of was the Rice O Roni theme song for the first few moments. The ride was very thrilling as we were hanging on the sides with our heads peeping out like a dogs head out the car window expect without the slobber flying all over the place.

Jumped off at Fisherman’s Wharf for a little site seeing and here is were we met the infamous Bushman. This is a guy who sits on the sidewalk or rather crouches and scares the living crap out of passer-byers. How? He growls the most realistic GRR I have ever heard. We asked about him as we sat and had our lunch we learned he’s been around for about 30 years doing this. The waiter told us, “It never gets dull. He’s hysterical.” You know what he was right.

T and I watched from a far and the best moment was when he scared a young lady and her boyfriend's feathers got ruffled and he snapped at the Bushman. O come on, where is the sense of humor, here? He was
F U N N Y!! He however, did not scare the old and frail just the young and foolish. One guy said, “hold on, I’m going to get my girlfriend, I want you to scare her." I thought that was classic. I would do something like that.

We coasted down the Coastal Highway, The One. What beauty in seeing this. God’s work never ceases to amaze me. The real estate on this highway is amazing. I would live there in a heartbeat, but will never afford it.

We settled in at Pebble Beach Golf Resort, O MY WORD, this course is the prettiest course E V E R. T was so amazed he is caught on photo touching the greens saying, “O yea, I am really here.” “I can now die happy. I was at the Masters and now Pebble Beach.” I, of course said, “Not to mention with the best girl on this planet. H E L L O!”

O how soon they forget. ;)

Had a fabulous lunch at the Hog's Breath Inn, which was owned by Clint Eastwood until 2000. He however, still owns the real estate and just leases the properties. Carmel is a great little town, and it cost us $9.00 to get out of there. A story for another time.

Had dinner at Neptune’s Palace strolled along Pier 39, saw the sea lions. Those creatures are huge, loud and smelly!! Food was YUMMERS. The best meal of the week was at the Elephant Bar - SO SO GOOD.

The seminars were great. I learned a lot – Mr. Marty Mercer was there talking about how to improve health and fitness to maximize personal and professional performance. He was very captivating. I have attached him to my list of blogs to read so if you are interested take a gander on over there. He’s quite smart and entertainingly funny.

That was San Fran. Next up for another time/blog – DALLAS and the COWBOYS

Do Tell

I have tons of stories to tell from my recent San Fran - Dallas - back home trip, however, not enough time right now.

I will give you a brief summary - Security does really look at your license - however they can't read the date - blah view of my room to the bushman at the Wharf to riding the BART and cruising up The One to a romantic horse and carriage ride for an early birthday gift - touring Texas Stadium with a man in love with Tony Romo and seeing the game of a lifetime to sitting on the freaking tarmac for 2 hours missing a connection and separate flights home causing me to miss my volleyball game!!

Best news, I get to do this all over again next week when travelling to Colorado to see my sister and her family only this time with a very hyper 4 year old.

God willing there will be no hick ups and smooth sailing...

All photos are uploaded for your entertainment purposes...check them out over there --->.

Going Away Away Away

San Fran look out here I come!!

I also got cool news from my sister, Diane, her hubby will be in the big city the same time for business. I may have to pop in on him for a brew and dinner!!

Something To Look Forward To

63 days until I’m in sunny San Francisco – 68 days until I’m at Texas Stadium cheering on the Dallas Cowboys who will be playing the New England Patriots -

79 days until I’m in the Mile High City with my LM, who has never flown, visiting my sister and her wonderful family. My only hope is some child deprived passenger doesn't get all worked up about my child talking or even moving on the plane.

I will total 13 days in the office out of 31 for the month of October.

Working vacations are GRRRRRRRRREAT!!

Wisked Away

This weekend, like tomorrow, I am being wisked away to a "FUN DAY" at a local amusment park, dinner at the waterfront followed by a movie then much dancing.

I can not wait...