August 1, 2015

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 6 DAYS

It's a New Month!

HOLY COW it's August! 
I can't believe that we are now in the 8th month of the year...

It feels like the Holidays were just yesterday and instead they will be upon us in no time at all!

I don't really have all too much to report...
Yesterday I spent the day doing more unpacking (I packed a trunkful!) I also took the time to upload all of my thousands of pictures to my external drive. 

However during the process, I had a few issues that locked up the progress and were really making me nervous - don't mess with my pictures! 
Luckily I got through it and eventually everything got uploaded. Whew.

I also went to the Brea Mall to get the screen on my phone repaired - I am happy to announce that my screen is 100% crack free once again! 
I was really over the GHETTO look! 

It was another scorcher - but the thing is that we are in SoCAL where the weather is not suppose to be HUMID - and because of good 'ol El Nino, we are experiencing some gross humidity. Honestly speaking the past 2 afternoons have been some of the least comfortable that I've experienced all summer long!

TODAY - Dave and I are heading out to Long Beach for a L O N G Board meeting 
for the International Peace Choir. Ugh 

Then, I was suppose to go down to San Diego to a Bachelorette party - which I was looking forward to, however once the meeting is over I would have little to no time to get ready and then get all the way down to San Diego in time for the beginning of the festivities - as I wasn't planning on the Bar Hopping portion of the never ending night.

After the meeting, I think we are gonna keep it mellow and maybe head to a book store - Elisa spent some time at a book store yesterday and had recommended that I take a look at a "certain" travel guide for inspiration. And then we'll probably head out to dinner. Maybe try out a "new" place...

Speaking of dinners; Dave and I will be heading down to none other than San Diego in a few weeks to bike in the BIKE THE BAY 6th Annual Ride, and I had been looking forward to having dinner at my favorite Thai Restaurant - 
The Royal Thai. 

Btw did anyone see the Blue Moon last night?

Last night's supermoon coincides with the start of the meteor season and the first blue moon in three years. 
The next blue moon isn't due until 2018

The last Blue Moon was on August 31, 2012.

Astronomers predict it will only happen on 12 occasions between now and 2043.

Don't let the name fool you. Blue moons are very rarely blue. Most are pale gray and white, resembling a moon on any other night.

*A blue moon is defined as any time there is a second full moon during a calendar month, according to NASA. While most years have 12 full moons, this year has 13.

Here's something you will not believe:
I STILL DON'T HAVE MY FLIGHTS BOOKED FOR PUERTO RICO AND WE LEAVE IN 6 DAYS!!!!

This is unprecedented - I have flights booked for January 2016 (info to be shared on TRAVELIN' TUESDAY), and yet I am not already holding the tickets for next Friday?!?!

Oh well...obviously it'll get done (although I know and expect that the price will be stupid high) and I'll keep you posted!

I've gotta get going to my meeting now. 

Catch ya back here tomorrow.
-T

Sadly I will announce that the restaurant has permanently closed. That sucks! 
They were always happening and busy, they had a great location and I have spent many a night having dinner there; back in the day when I spent more time hanging out in San Diego, and going for a couple of weekends a year. 

The Royal Thai, does happen to have 2 other locations and they are actually quite a bit closer in distance to where I live. However, and it's a big HOWEVER, I found the food to be different and not as good. I guess I'll have to try them again sometime and hope that they stepped up their game.

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: SEPTEMBER

Hello August!

Happy August!!! 
Summer is moving and shaking, but the good news is, there is still a month left before school starts.

Well folks, here I am this morning, a little later than usual writing my blog.  I took the kids to the movies last night to see PIXELS.   

First of all, I generally love Adam Sandler - find him funny, witty, entertaining.  Except for a few bombs (like Grown Ups 2 - horrible!!), I enjoy his movies.
Same is true of Kevin James.  

Well, wish I had positive feedback about PIXELS.  I just found it BORING.  I was not entertained; I found it loud and annoying; and I literally felt like I was jumping out of my skin sitting there watching it!!  In a word, for me, it SUCKED.

Now, the good news is...Gianna and Kelsey really loved it!!! So, I guess they were on target for the kid audience.  My suggestion is if you need to take your kids to see this movie, bring your iPod or iPhone - hook up music with earplugs, close your eyes and snooze.

Outside the movie theatre last night

In any case, I'm not sure if I was stressed, exhausted or it was the spinach-mushroom flatbread from California Pizza Kitchen earlier, but 
I had a belly ache and had to get up and leave about 30 minutes from the end of the movie.

I hung out in the car until the rest of the gang joined me.  NO regrets about missing the ending! Sorry kids - Mommy did not like this one!!

The good news is that we had an enjoyable dinner earlier.  The kids enjoyed their pizzas, but more importantly, ADORED their desserts.  Kelsey ordered the kids' menu brownie a lá mode and Gianna ordered the chocolate soufflé cake.  

Yummy!

Thrilled as usual

Kelsey's brownie

Gianna's chocolate souffle cake

Did you know that last night was a Blue Moon?  Well, Tanya has the complete low-down all about blue moons - do read!!!
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Today is a busy, busy day!  After filling you guys in here, I have to boogie over to the marble dealer and place my order.  Tedd drew me a nifty little drawing of the shower area with all the measurements, so it should be a relatively quick deal.

Then, I need to hop on over to the craft store to pick up a few necessities I need for one of my projects.  

Then back home to tend to my garden - some pruning, watering and of course, picking my ripe vegetables!!

The afternoon will be my favorite part of the day...I'm going to be working on my travel schedule for the next year.  So, I'll be sitting outside, soaking up the sun, with my three new travel books - Spain, Portugal and Israel, my calendar and working on my budget as well!!

Can't wait!!!

I hope you have a wonderful day!!!
Gotta get going!

-E
xoxo