About to go on a 3 mile walk with Neil and our 6 month old pup Cali...need this time and this workout!!!

Blessed to have a brother-in-law who knows computers...and can build computers. Working off one he built, and shipped to us. How nice, right? I know. We're blessed. He felt the need to build another one...and decided his old one should go to his younger brother. I can't remember the last time I worked off an actual computer that didn't sit in my lap. So nice. On top of all this nice-ness, our friend Adam had a desk that just took up space in his basement - and offered it to us! It is super nice, and fits perfect in our office. Now to get this room organized, and decorated - can't wait. I will definitely be making a pit-stop at Joann's Fabrics to pick out some fabric for curtains.

Alright, I best get going on this walk already.
It's 7:40pm - about an hour & 1/2 away from the sun setting - my favorite time of day!!!!

Welp. My goal has failed so far this week - and it's only Tuesday. The moment I pump up the speed on the treadmill, my shins just scream. Maybe it's my shoes? I don't know. But for now, I'll continue to diet, take weight classes, and walk on the treadmill at a fast speed - and at an incline.

Oh, and I haaate dieting...

New gym goal:

3 miles of cardio every day.
I've been trying out the treadmill again, not sure how long that'll last. I feel the elliptical won't get the job done....like I need to add another mile to the goal.
I did purchase a new sports bra. I tried it out today, and it seemed to control the nonsense slightly better. I have to wear 2, but it's still uncomfortable for me.

I've also started dieting.
Bleh.

CA 2009

So this last week Neil and I made our way to good ol' California. We had mixed feelings going into the week. Very excited to have the time off of course, but dreading all that comes with visiting CA. The traffic, the dry heat, the chaos of driving too and fro. We love, love, love being in CA - visiting our friends....we just look at it differently now. Now, about the trip:

FYI style - sorry.
Night 1...
Late night fly in, pick up by Mr. Dunn. (Excited to be hanging out w/this guy)
Donut Corner, then Albertos (diet out the door at this point).
Day 1...
Rental car pick up.
Visit Transducer Techniques, my old work place.
Pedicure at my most favoritest nail salon: Instyle Nails.
In 'n Out for lunch. (Mouth literally watering right now thinking about this place)
Temecula Mall - saw the upgrades. Jealous that it's so AWESOME now!!!
Stir Fresh for dinner w/dear friends. (Jenny brought her b/f Ryan, so happy for my Jenny).
Donut Corner - again.
Day 2...
San Diego/La Jolla/Seaport Village/Downtown San Diego...yummy Mexican food!!
Neil had a guys night at Claim Jumper. I had my Jenny come visit me. Lots of girl talk!
Day 3...
Lunch w/some of my girlfriends at Red Robin.
Said bye to Jason, so sad.
Drop off luggage in Menifee. Spent some time w/the Q's & Nat...and finally met Baby Elsie! (She is absolutely precious!!!)
Headed to Redlands to visit my love, Natalee who is 7 months pregnant.
Market Night. We love us some Market Night :) Especially on such a beautiful night, and especially when you add Cucas to the night.
Back to Menifee. Davey joined us for Santanas mexican food. Super Nachos!! (again, no diet).
Day 4...
Vegas. My girlfriend Brooke tagged along for the weekend. So glad she did. :)
Arrived in Henderson where Eva now lives w/her husband Tony. Saw family.
Got our nails did.
Roasted in the 105 degree heat.
Brooke & I got some amazing blended fruit drinks next door to the salon. (Mine came with Red Bull blended right in. I needed this...soooo good!)
Checked into hotel. We stayed at Hooters - come on, it was cheap. Don't judge.
Dinner at Hard Rock.
Dessert in my room.
The other girls continued on partying it up Vegas style. Brooke & I were out. So tired.
Neil came back from walking the Vegas strip & we enjoyed some 25 cent wings downstairs in the Hooters restaurant. Wings + quality time w/the husband = nice relaxing way to end the night.
Day 5...
Lay out by the pool.
My friends Liz and Beka came to join us.
Eva & Tony's reception at the MGM Grand. (This hotel is super impressive! And fancy)
35th floor penthouse. Balcony that will make anyone dizzy.
Day 6...
Morning lay out by the pool. (Brooke & I were desperate for a tan...)
Drive back to CA.
Joined the Q's and E's in their backyard.
Portillo's for dinner. (Cheese fries, sooo good. Thanks to Bea for reminding me!)
Day 7...
Goodbyes at TTI.
In 'n Out for lunch.
Juice it Up!
Hang out by the pool w/Nat and Baby E..
Met Virginia in Murrieta at Los Primos. (So awesome to finally see her!!!)
Quality time with Virginia :)
Back up to Menifee for our last night in CA.
(Neil made his way back to In 'n Out w/DQ. Thankfully he brought some back to me! And a chocolate shake...)
Day 8...
Shannon and Bea took us to the SD airport. We were very happy to be heading home, but dreaded the travel time that came along w/it. We didn't roll into Erie until after 2:30AM. Being able to see my baby doggie was so great! I missed her so much!!!!!!
This time in CA was a reality check for us. We have a love/hate relationship with Southern California. We were always right in the middle with how we felt about moving back there. It seems less likely that we'll ever end up back in CA. In 2 or 3 years, we'll see how we feel.

1 week count down begins. We leave for our trip to CA a week from tomorrow. I'm getting really, really excited. It came out of nowhere. I love that. Neil and I are really looking forward to spending time with friends, and eating at the following restaurants:

Los Primos
Albertos (or an affiliation of Albertos)
In 'n Out
Portillos
Stir Fresh

I need to also include major work out sessions into this vacation due to all this wonderful eating...

I've been meaning to post a blog about my life in PA versus the life I lived in CA...I'm literally writing down pros and cons of each, and I'm almost done.

So stay tuned...

My weekend

This past weekend is going in the books as one of my favorites. Friday and Saturday were full of running errands, and time in the sun w/a good book & music. Mind you, I didn't get far in my book because I can only read it when I'm laying on my stomach. What's funny about my new living situation is just how much I take advantage of the sun. When I lived in CA - my whole life - I loved being outside, but I could spend a good-weathered day inside, no guilt. But living in Erie, the moment the weather gets to be about 70, I make my way outside. I have to be out there. I don't care what I'm doing, as long as the sun is hitting my skin, I'm happy. I even hate being in the gym I've grown to be obsessed with... (Friday I had plans to get my butt kicked w/2 work out classes, and bailed because I wanted to remain on my jumbo towel out in my backyard).
Friday ended w/the playoffs on the television, and our good friend Dave over to watch. We grilled burgers and enjoyed the Cavs coming away w/a win! (Sorry Dave)

Saturday started off with my friend Ali & I driving around town looking for good yard sales. We found a lot of them, which was awesome. But, 3 hours later we only ended up w/a few items. We made our way to Peggy's (a diner by my house I frequently eat at) for breakfast, then headed home. I hit the backyard w/Cali, a book, and our local radio station blasting in the background. When I finally came around to reality, I got cleaned up and Neil & I made our way to Wegmans for some grocery shopping - which if you dont know us, it's one of our favorite things to do! Just having a house filled w/food is so comforting. The night ended w/the Lakers game against the Denver Nuggets. I have pure anxiety when I watch them in the playoffs. They came away with a WIN!

Sunday, breakfast w/Neil at Crackel Barrel. We made our way to Buffalo to pick his mom up from being in AZ for the last 3 weeks. (We've had her dog Andy this entire time by the way. Pure chaos is all I have to say.) Came home to watch the Cavs lose against Orlando. Not a good night for Neil.

Monday - my favorite day of the weekend. We decided to have friends over, those who didn't have prior engagements. It was a lot of eating, grilling, basketball shooting, basketball fetching when it bounced over the fences (2 separate yards it can go over), playing catch w/a football, chasing Cali, some xbox playing, ice cream from Connies (literally 2 blocks away, we walked), lots more basketball shooting...Sean and Neil decided to go inside & watch a movie. Adam & I decided to go play tennis.

Good weekend. Great friends. Feeling totally blessed...
**Side note: Didn't take any photos of the weekend, not sure what is wrong w/me!

Sneak vs La La

Sneaky Cali versus La La Neil = a chubby baby doggie.
We are watching my mother-in-law's dog, Andy for the next 3 weeks...and he's a full grown, adult dog that requires a pretty good helping of dog food daily. Where as Cali, gets 3 separate feedings of 1 cup increments. Andy has had his bowl completely cleared out by this little one more then once, more then twice...I'd say around 4 times since Saturday. She is SUPER quiet and sneaky about it - she doesn't even chew, so we can't hear the crunching - just swallows. Pure gluttony. I had a discussion with my dear husband - please watch out for Cali, she'll be sneaky. Do NOT put Andy's food out unless you can keep an eye on her. The last 2 days I've come home to a swollen belly of a puppy. La La Neil explains "I was sitting right there, and I didn't hear her!" Right there, is the kitchen table. The kitchen table is a turn-around arm reach away from Andy's food/water bowl. La La.
Oh brother - Cali is on a diet.

1 Year ago today...

...Neil and I left California.
Cannot believe it's been an entire year.
Time has just flown.
We've had some incredible experiences here so far, and know there are many more to come.

Neil and I have come across the topic of "do we see ourselves back in CA?" and we don't have an answer. We love both locations for different reasons. In the end, where God wants us, we'll go or we'll stay. It's up to HIM.

Happy 1 year PA.

Cali and Spring Cleaning

Cali is almost 5 months old, and she has the best personality. Here are some recent pictures of her:

She's a happy baby doggie!

We just love her!

Last Saturday Neil and I did some cleaning. He was in charge of outside duties, and I took care of the inside cleaning. It was quite fun. And very fulfilling. I mean, we've been living here since January, and haven't been able to take advantage of what it's really like to be homeowners. Neil made purchases of both a lawnmower and a grill - 2 very important things, don't you think? The hold up has of course been weather. We have been waiting, and waiting....and waiting for Spring to finally get here - and it has. However, after Neil purchased the lawnmower, he did say, and I quote: "Screw being a homeowner." Captain Negative in full effect. Deep down I know he loves it. I did take some pictures of this occasion...and check out that tree we have in our backyard....
Also notice how Neil is matching the lawnmower. OH! And the above picture, in the background you see that truck parked? ....somewhat behind him....that is his Grandfather's old house.
We were able to put the grill to use right away! We invited the Hamps to join us. The weather was absolutely perfect, and we had such a great time!!!
Afterwards we took a walk down the street to Connie's for some ice cream. Literally...its just a block away. Trouble. Trouble indeed.