A Typical Road Trip Family Photo

This is a typical road trip family photo for the two of us. Jeff holds the camera and we try to point so that you can get the place we are visiting in the background. We are standing in front of the Old Point Loma light house in this photo.

I have found that this is the one of the only ways to get Jeff to smile for the camera. Otherwise he gives me something like this...


I'm just kidding. This is the actual picture I get from Jeff



After I snapped this picture he says, "Come look over the ledge with me."

So I did and this is what I saw...



Yes, that man is not clothed.

And yes, I laughed. I LAUGHED LOUDLY!

Apprantley a bit too loud since the he turned over to see where the noise was coming from. He heard me way up top, above the waves of the ocean. Amazing!

About that time, this guys flies overhead. Talk about a bird's eye view

Detour Ahead

Would it come as any surprise to you that Jeff and I have changed our traveling plans in a big way over the past 48 hours?

If there is one lesson I have learned from being married to Jeff is to be flexible, no plan is ever set in stone and usually the new plan is way, way better.

Instead of a heading west to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon we are heading east to the beach. Instead of driving many days to reach our destination, we are driving one. Instead of hopping from place to place we are staying put for eight fabulous, fun filled days. During these eight days we are going to sleep in, read books, eat at odd hours of the day and veg on the beach as long as our little hearts desire.

It's going to be FABULOUS!

I have four days to get this place back in order after the new carpet was installed. I can't believe we didn't raise you know what earlier on, this place looks 100% better. Even though it's been nuts in my neck of the woods the past three weeks, there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. Praise the Lord this crazy season is winding down a bit.

How 'Bout A Pitstop to 1982 on the Way to Shiner, TX?

During our mini road trip to Central Texas, Jeff and I made a side trip to Shiner, TX. Population- super small. We had two hours to kill before the next brewery tour and thought we would be good stewards of our time and grab a bite to eat. Unfortunately, Shiner is not a thriving metropolis for food so we had to drive a little longer than planned. I am sure we could have found something eatable at the local 1 pump gas station, but who really wants to eat 10 year old can of beanie weenies or rock hard chocolate mars bars while on vacation. Besides, I was planning on serving that for dinner the first night back home and didn't want to spoil Jeff's dinner.

Thankfully we found the mecca of small town food eateries, Pizza Inn. Not a Pizza Hut...Pizza INN. I could have sworn Pizza Inn was no longer in business, but I could be wrong.

When we walked into the diner I had a strange, out of body experience. I could have sworn that I had just stepped into the 80's. The decor, the games, the tables, the light fixtures, the carpeting on the floor, my fellow patrons all looked like something from the 80's. I wish I had my camera to show you this. Shoulder pads, teased hair and gobs of blue eye shadow were on almost every single lady in the restaurant. Brown wicker light fixtures hung on dusty old gold chains above the tables. The same red curtains with the gold diamond pattern were on all the windows. The red vinyl booths had seen better days but I guarantee it was the original fabric from back in the day. I don't tell you this to make fun, I just had to share how strange it was to be sitting in 2009 but all around me was 1982.

I kept waiting for Jeff to slap a few quarters on the table, and give me the same speech my dad said every time he gave us quarters, "This is all the quarters I have and all you will get so don't even think about asking for more. Now have fun and share with your brother."

Sadly, there were no quarters in Jeff's pockets. Probably because all he had on him was a debit card because you know it is 2009 after all.

This is me, before the tour have a little sample.



And this is us after the tour taking our standard Road Trip picture.

let's go to Luckenbach, TX

Luckenbach, TX is a small little nugget in the middle of Central Texas. It is about 30 to 45 minutes from Fredicksburg. If you have not ever been, you should, it's fun. But let me suggest that you google yourself directions so you don't get lost. You see, this was our second attempt to head to Luckenbach. The first time we were SO close but gave up way too soon. At least I thought so but Jeff seemed to think driving for an hour and half to try to locate was plenty of time. To each it's own, I guess. This time I told Jeff come hell or high water, we are going to Luckenbach, TX. Thankfully my googled directions lead us right to it or I would have lost out again. Proof that Luckenbach is a very small town! :)



When we parked, in a open field Jeff was feeling a bit unsure. His first words were "It looks like we are interrupting a private party. I don't want to crash a party." This was the day I gave him a new nickname, "Listen hear, Mr. San Diego, this is how it is done in Texas. We have no rules in Luckenbach, everyone is welcome. So get your butt out of the car and let's go see the sights."

The Luckenbach Post office was built in the 1800's and holds souvenirs and the little bar in the back. Jeff and I talked about how if someone dropped a cigarette butt too close to the building the whole place would burn in an instance. Fortunately we don't smoke so the building was still standing when we left. Hee! Hee!

Here is Mr. San Diego himself enjoying a Lone Star beer. California has wine, Texans have BEER! And he is even wearing his San Diego ball cap. Why have I not bought him a cowboy hat? Probably because he wears a size 7 3/4 hat and that is super huge! {PS. I have been praying for small headed children...}




Later, I played him the Luckenbach, TX song sung by Waylon and Willie. Mr. San Diego said, "What's the name of this song?"

"Luckenbach, TX."

"Hmm, interesting."

Which looking back on this conversation, I think he was pulling my leg about not knowing the song because he is a huge Willie fan so how could he not know "Let's go to Luckenbach, TX with Waylon, Willie and the boys"?

Luckenbach was a fun side trip and one I think everyone should experience at least once.

The Great Esape Pictures

I think everyone should get away from time to time. This weekend my friend Andrea and I decided to take a mini-vacation in Beaver Bend, OK. We did nothing but read, watch movies, talk and eat junk food. We even had a few spiritual moments thrown in the mix for good measure.

I didn't even take any scrapbooking stuff with me this trip, I simply rested. It was fabulous.

Thanks Andrea for trusting me enough to travel with me 4 hours to a place neither one of us had every seen before. I had a blast and can't wait until our next get away. How 'bout this weekend? Just kidding, Jeff would be so sad if I left him alone two weekends in a row. :)

The Great Escape of 09 Is Here!

Tomorrow I leave with a gal pal and head to a little cabin in the woods.

The plan is to do nothing but....

listen to a few tunes
watch chick flicks
nap
read
eat junk food
watch more chick flicks
eat a few smores
chat
spend sometime in the Word
take a light stroll in the woods
laugh
and a little more junk food on the way home


Other than that we have no other plans.

I know one thing, I am going to soak up this time while I can.

Because when I come home, life is kicking up a notch.

"On the Road Again!"

You never know where the road will take us.

We have been known to make some crazy detours along the way, to keep up with us the next couple of days go here.

Otherwise tune in November 1st for a new addition to the blog world

and

the 1st ever

BLESSED ASSURANCES giveaway.