Back to 'normal' life...

As a magnet on Amy's fridge says, "Normal is just a setting on the washing machine."

After Daddy and Momma left, life returned to 'normal' which is forever changing and developing.  I thought I had a completely empty week, and was a little worried since I didn't have any projects planned that I was going to get bored.  I didn't think to pray about it, =( but God saw to it anyway, that that I wouldn't be bored!  Before they left on Monday, I got a text from Ashley saying that if I wanted something to do, several were going to be down at her house addressing invitations and I'd be welcome to come hang out.  I biked down there (takes about 1 minute!) and had a great time with the bride-to-be (got to see her BEAUTIFUL dress!), Addie, Shelley, Coral and Bodi, Vanessa-mom, Aunt Polly, and Vicki, who says that she always has to check to see who's speaking when I talk because she keeps thinking it is my 2nd cousin Kayla!  The people with the nice handwriting wrote (if yours is REALLY pretty, Addie wrote it!) and others of us slipped the invitations in and put postage stamps on.  It was fun to be with everyone and help out.  So excited for Ashley and Blake!

Tuesday...

Addie texted and said she had a chiropractor appointment, did I want to come along and meet her dr.  I've been looking for a chiropractor (I miss you, Dr. O'Leary!) and was interested in seeing how hers worked, so I was excited to go with her... Besides, she gets an 80% discount if she brings someone along!  I really like Dr. Craig and the way he works, but they don't work with insurance companies =(

Wednesday...

I went grocery shopping with Cherisa and Hailey (who slept the whole time).  It was very helpful to get my groceries and fun to be with them!

That evening Matthew took me to Buona Tavola, an Italian restaurant in San Luis Obispo.  I was happy because they had gluten free options!!  I got a fettuccine with a red sauce that had different kinds of birds in it, chicken, duck, don't remember what else!  yummm! Caesar salad for appetizer, and some little tiny donut thingies that you dip in raspberry sauce for dessert.  Now for dessert Matthew got the amazing 'Tartufo Italiano Al Cioccolato'. Which is : "dark chocolate gelato covered with cocoa powder, chocolate and finely ground hazelnuts, topped with espresso" As the water/bus boy ( a college student by our guess, and we are not sure if he was authentically Italian with a drop into American lingo and accent, or an American with good acting abilities! ) anyway, he agreed that the tartufo is 'muwah!' as he gestures with a kiss to his expressive hand.  Quite an interesting experience! The waiter we could hardly understand at ALL, definitely authentic, and I just pointed to what I wanted, there was no way I was going to attempt saying it! =/   

 Then we walked to Peet's Coffee shop where I can get one shot of hazelnut coffee with almond milk!  Yes, I drink coffee :o !!  We enjoyed our coffee, walked around downtown, which always includes popping into the apple store ;) and then back to the car, all fat and happy!

Thursday...

Was great fun!  Several ladies were going to clean at Derrick and Mag's house, I was excited to go along and help out!  Annie picked me up, (thanks for the ride).

The master bedroom closet.

Aunt Sue sweeping the living area, dining area to the right, front door to the left.

Annie was kind enough ;) to drop by Mom's to get my huge container of scrap material.  When I got back, I spread it all out on the floor to try to decide HOW TO GET RID OF IT ALL!

Matthew has a soft spot for denim quilts, which I didn't know before we got married, and so do I.
I already have quite a few plain denim squares, but thought, hey, a girl can have a denim blanket, too!
There were two different pink flower prints on denim.

Thursday evening, we took a 'picnic' to Cayucos.  We sat in the car and ate, and then took a walk.  Remind me to always wear leggings and at least two sweatshirts to the beach, please! I am ALWAYS freezing cold there :-/ But it was a really pretty evening and fun to walk the beach, watch the waves (and the dogs! shhh, don't tell Matthew...).

 Friday...

Kathy picked me up around 9:30 or so after a hectic morning at her house (imagine that ;) and drove us down to Avila to bike the Bob Jones Trail.  Oh yes, so she wouldn't miss our driveway, I put my Canadian flag out in the flag holder on the fence near the mailbox!  It was so fun!  But I took it down before I left, I didn't want it sabotaged or anything!

Sorry, bad photographer ;(

Beautiful day down there and a lovely bike ride!

Quick story, an embarrassing one, so yes, you want to read it! ;)

As we coasted along down the paved path, we passed lots of people walking, jogging, running..etc.  Kathy was kind enough to usually go in front and I followed single file.  One time she was a bit behind me anyway, so I went ahead and went first.  Got to the right side because there were some people coming towards us.  I shifted gears and it made a funny sound, so I looked down.  When I looked up there was an older-middle aged couple RIGHT in front of my bike tire!  EEEPP!  I was too close to swerve off the trail, thankfully wasn't going REALLY fast, but I had to brake, and I hoped against hope that my tires wouldn't screech....  Sqweeekkk!  My heart sank and face flamed red as they leaped off the trail.  I apologized sincerely, and they were very sweet about it, thankfully.  I felt horrible...

After biking we went to Costco and then she took me to Chipotle for lunch - after we shook hands on standing next to each other at sing that night! ;)

Hailey getting so big and cuter every day!

 Saturday...

Matthew's windshield wipers have been missing paint,
so he got some spray paint and... 

....got them nice and new looking!  Didn't get a picture
of them back on the car, but looks SO much better.

 I forget what else we did that day, but got several little things done, that just needed DOING!  Relaxing day and always fun to be with my best friend.

Kevin grilling steaks.
That evening some of the guys got together for a bachelor party for Derrick!
I was really glad they did it for him, but had to fill my evening so as to not be too lonely!
They ate a totally guys' dinner of steaks, chips, salad (good for them), oreos, and Starbucks java chip ice cream!  Then they played volleyball and had a fire as far as I understand, sorry guys if that isn't quite right! ;)

Sunday there was a sing at the senior home, then gathering at Dwight and Tanya's.  It was fun to see their place, and play volleyball.

I think this was Monday.

The daffodils were in full bloom!

I painted the mailbox with the leftover black spray paint.  Then I called up Mrs. Neilson to see if she had any red paint.  She had acrylic which I used on the flag.  Who knows how long it will last, but it is nice and red for now!

So a quick preface for the next post...
Soon after Matthew started working at Grizzly Youth Academy, they let him know he was going to the CUE conference in Palm Springs around March 20th.  He did some inquiring and we planned on me going as well.  I was so excited!....