No Frost

Right now my Internet sucks. I have been trying to post for the past two days. Everything is going wrong and I haven't been able to upload anything and the keyboard seems to skip every other letter I type. ARRRGH!!

I guess a new keyboard is in the near future. If I can find one in stock.

On a different note, what I really wanted to show is the back yard a couple of days ago. I am continually amazed. I love it here.

Frost on the orchard.

Frost on the orchard Part II.

Frost on the orchard Part III.

Temecula, California. No frost.

I Might As Well Look Ageless

I am finally getting over the jet lag. This morning I was able to sleep until 6:30AM. The other mornings I was wide awake at 2:00AM and unable to get back to sleep until 7:00AM and then slept till Noon. I guess the nine hours time difference from the West Coast was a little too much for a one night recovery.

To add insult to injury, I did another "She Who" ADD/sleepwalking moment. I have a tendency to sleep walk at times and end up in some really strange places. One time while at MIL's house I walked into the clothes closet and got tangled in all the clothing. I remember being terrified, not being able to turn around and get out of the "Sea of Clothes." Spousal Unit finds me all over the house and usually just guides me back to bed when I am up and about.

Friday, because of the jet lag I went to bed early. He wasn't ready for bed and so was still downstairs. I must have gotten up to go to the bathroom and ran into the door frame.

I officially have my first black eye.

While we were out and about yesterday, a store employee asked if I was in an accident. I said, "Actually I just had my eyelid tattooed for permanent eye makeup." He didn't seem to believe that answer. So I told him that yes I was in an accident and was lucky that that was my only injury. I also decided it was time to invest in some liquid foundation and cover up. The old fart beauty type stuff... to hide/fill in the wrinkles.

If I gotta wear that stuff for the next few days I might as well look ageless.

If I Last That Long

I made it home. I am deadbeat tired. I still need to stay up for several more hours so I can get over the jet lag in the shortest time possible.

I got up at 5:00AM Thursday morning for my flight out of San Diego and arrived 9:15AM Friday morning. These old bones are crying for bed. Can't give in just yet. It is 1:17PM right now and I want to make it to 7:00.

Some random thoughts:

• Spousal Unit was at the airport to pick me up. He seems really glad that I am home. I am really glad to be home. I enjoyed my visits, but it was time to be home.
• The flights were very timely in their take-offs and landings. No frantic dashing through airports this time around.
• The weather here is grey and rainy.
• I miss the San Diego climate already.
• I do not miss the St Louis artic freeze.
• I do miss the hot tub.
• I got to read a couple of books on my flights.
• The Newark to Frankfurt flight was mostly empty so I had three seats all to myself. I actually got to snooze a little bit.
• Spousal Unit wanted to go out to dinner tonight. I kinda nixed that idea. I know that I will be flat out jet lagged by then.
• I figure a salad and cheese fondue will be nice for dinner. If I last that long.

I Will Miss The Gal On The Corner

My visit was entirely too short. I really enjoy my time with my SMIL, Ma, and the time has just flown by.

We did a little shopping. I picked up several new outfits, in anticipation of my getting a job when I get back home. Major bargains.

We did the Lowes, Home Depot stops to get some things around the house for her.

We spent today doing yard work. I am continuously amazed about doing yard work in the middle of January. The flowers here are blooming.

Oranges are ripening. The kumquats are also ripening.

Tomorrow I will be boxing up my purchases to take to the Post Office and packing my bags.

We are going to spend the night in San Diego at an airport hotel to avoid the traffic for my Thursday morning early flight.

I will also miss the gal on the corner though, dressed as the Statue of Liberty.

It Is Beautiful

I arrived safely in San Diego. My SMIL, Ma, picked me up at the airport. I didn't have any of the trauma that I had during my trip from Frankfurt to St. Louis. The weather was/is glorious and I immediately had to change my clothes from burrrrrr cold to ahhhhh warm.

The day I arrived also happened to be my father-in-laws birthday. Since the airport is in the downtown area, Ma asked me if I wanted to go visit him. I did. He passed away in late September and I still miss him. He was a good father-in-law to me.

Spousal Unit, being in the military for many years, had known that his father was eligible for burial in a military cemetery and asked Ma if this was what she wanted for Papa Charlie. She agreed and they chose the military cemetery at Fort Rosecrans. The fort is located on Point Loma.

One of the views from the site.

Another view from the cemetery. I have spent a lot of time in San Diego over these past 30 years and have never before been to this site. It is beautiful.

Now I Know What A Polar Bear Feels Like

My gal pal has a new hot tub. I knew what it looked like because I was still here when she ordered it. But the lag time between the ordering and installation meant that it was installed after I left for Germany.

She had emailed me several times extolling how relaxing the tub is and to remind me to bring a bathing suit.

Since the beginning of my visit with gal pal, we have gotten into the hot tub just about every night. I beg off when it is windy. But that was only a couple of nights.

With the Arctic weather we have been experiencing these past few days, I would have never have thought to go outside half naked to get into some water. They did. They also talked me into getting in with them.

The process involves bathing suit, newly purchased at the local Walmart because I forgot to bring mine. A long furry robe, slippers, several towels, and a large liquid libation. Its a little hard to maneuver opening the door with everything but I manage.

Getting out the door is the easy part. Shivering and walking to the tub is indescribable. I have never before put myself, willingly in this situation before.

Last night was the most radical of the hot bub sessions. It was so cold outside that the steam off the tub seemed to freeze in the air.

I know the water on the bottom of Mr. Determination's feet froze to the concrete patio and we all had ice in our hair from the steam coming from the hot tub. Now I know what a polar bear feels like.

Mr. Determination - Revisited

My gal pal's husband, Mr. Determination.

If you remember, this past Summer I spent some time (a lot of time) with them while getting ready for the move to Germany. On this morning, Mr. Determination found an innocent turtle in his swimming pool.

Just a small turtle seeking a cool refuge on a hot Summer day. Well actually, it was really big and slimy. But still one of God's creatures. Right???

Well, Mr. Determination got the turtle out of the pool after several really funny, hilarious attempts; because the turtle was really liking the pool.

This was Mr. Determination the other day. I had just gotten a new camera and was taking a few pictures. Just a couple of pictures. No harm in that, is there???

You know what he was swatting at???

Me. Now, do I look like I would ever, ever cause any bedevilment???