Venice

So 2 weekends ago...TC and I headed to the beach for the day

we first went to Santa Monica..where he did a bike ride..and i laid on the beach and read a book..haha

Then we went to Venice to meet one of his co-workers and his wife (she just got her 3 weeks ago- i think a potential new friend...yeah!)

So Venice has alot of culture..basically you can see anything..anything you can dream in your mind...you will probably see in Venice (this is why I decided when my mom and dad come to visit I have to take my dad to visit Venice..he will love it...my dad is all about the atmosphere..well Venice will provide him with "the atmosphere")

So while most of you have heard of the original muscle beach...i always thought it was in Venice...but it was actually in Santa Monica...that is a little fun fact for you.

We had lunch at this really awesome Chinese restaurant called Mao's Kitchen

http://www.maoskitchen.com/

The whole reason I am blogging about this trip is because it was a pretty funny trip...

1.) tc got crapped all over by a bird..which was funny by itself because it was at the beginning of our day..but what was really funny...was he took some paper towels off a food cart and the owner..literally cussed him out..i was like..where am I...what is going on

2.) We were all working and all of a sudden this lady threw a yogurt cup at michelle(the lady that was with us) so all day long...michelle was pretty quiet...reserved...and i was like i am sure she wont say anything...well all of a sudden she picked up the yogurt cup and threw it back at this lady and said don't throw stuff into a crowd..haha..

i laughed hysterically...because totally did not see this coming from her..she is just this Little bitty quiet thing...so i decided her new name will be Scrappy...

Sweet Home...(thought i was going to say AL didn't you..)KY

Hello All-

We are about 48 hours away from me being home...OH MY GOSH...who else is super pumped....

I will be flying in this weekend to see some really cute babies..visit friends...love on my family...and attend my nephews baptism....

I will be flying alone..and for those of you who dont know..I have like the worst luck flying...tc said i must have made the travel gods mad and as much bad luck as i have had...I should be okay for this one...we shall see I am not holding my breath.

I basically have a packed 3 days and I am so excited about each and every single minute. I have not been home since the first of May and I know everyone is thinking..."how can we possibly get thru another week without karen..."..haha..well some of you wont have to..but some will have to wait til October..so sorry it will be here before you know it..just know i miss you all

So basically i am writing to tell you when i get back and my blog post about home there will probably be close to 1 million pictures...so be ready for that...block out a large portion of your day for it.

Oh another funny syd story

so she is really into dinosaurs...and loves to learn about them..she has been talking about t-rx...wooly mammoth...etc

telling alison which one is a plant eater..which one is a meat eater...etc

my sister asked how she knew all that..she said, "mom..don't you know i am dinosaur expert..."

haha..yes she is 3..i know

I am sure I will have plenty when i come back from ky

I have talked to her several time..and she is pumped her aunt is coming home...we are headed to the movies..and maybe on sunday to the mall to eat a mall pretzel and watch the fountain...it is where we discuss life together..haha

Help..anyone..Help

So I have sent emails to several people on facebook..but just in case...i forgot..or you dont have facebook...
But here is the run down on Sept 10- TC and I will be giving our time, energy, and money to a cause that is pretty amazing..BEST BUDDIES-

This charity was started in 1985 by Arthur Kennedy Shriver- Please go to best buddies website to see the interesting story.

Tc will be riding in the 62 mile bike ride along the PCH...(pacific coast highway) and I will be running the 5k
This is TC's 4th year (2nd year being the team captain for CVS pharmacy) and it will be my first year participating..but I am very excited..(disclaimer- TC usually does the century bike ride..but we will be going on a little trip to San Francisco after the race is over...and well since he married this much younger chick...he wanted to be able to walk and keep up with me on our Frisco trip..so he opted for the 62 mile ride...slacker..haha)
We are asking for our friend and family to help raise money for this charity and to donate along with us to this worth- while cause...
85% of donations are given directly to the people in need and programs..
Only 15% is used for administrative cost...
Whether you can give $5-50-500...any amount is okay...and much appreciated.


And the website is attached- So all you have to do is go click on it...type in T.C. Trial and then decide how much you want to give..now please don't get crazy ....a couple of thousand dollars would be way too much and TC and I would just feel very bad..but if you guys insist!!

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to read this and considering to donate to a charity we think is pretty amazing...
Now when you are reading this and you are in the mood to give....don't forget about some great other ones..ALS, race for a cure, American Cancer Society...

"Goodness is the only investment that never fails"- Henry David Thoreau

Fourth of July in Long Beach

So my first official 4th of July as s resident of CA-

We went to the Queen Mary in Long beach

You can go and read all about the Queen Mary and its history- www.queenmary.com

In Dec of 1967 the Queen Mary was docked at Long Beach and has been there ever since as a tourist attraction.

We headed out that day with friends Ryan and Colleen and her son Aiden (who was so excited to see the fireworks)

Then we met up with Callie and her son Brady (friends from KY who came to visit us.)

We went to eat at this amazing Crepe place..it was so yummy...(tc picked it out..that is one of his specialities..picking out amazing restaurants...if you need him to do it just contact us and he will do it for a small fee..haha)

Then we were off to Long Beach to start our day of adventure...So when we first walked on the ship I was seriously like..it feels like I am walking on Titanic..haha

We toured around the boat and saw several really cool things-

Then we went back out to the yard and listened to Lisa Haley and the Zydecats- which was very interesting...it was Cajun music...(my dad would have really enjoyed this part of the day)

Then it was time for us to head back to the boat and get our spot to watch the fireworks and listen to the dj on the deck..

This was not before our friend Ryan had sampled all the fair type food they had..he had a bubble gum flavored icy, kettle corn, pizza..yeah you get the picture he is a fair food junky...

So we get up on the deck..and hear some really cool music and we are all dancing around having a good time...

When the fireworks went off they started playing music and I swear every time I hear the Lee Greenwood song..Proud to be an American I always tear up.

It was amazing to look around and see people from every country, race, nationality, all walks of life - looking so proud to be "Americans"- the home of the free and brave thanks to all of our amazing Military who sacrifice every day so that we are afforded those luxuries...

It was amazing sight..it was almost like time stood still for a moment...like we were all one and there was no race..no color...no hate in the world (wouldn't that be nice...a girl can dream..)

Now the fireworks were pretty amazing...nothing like thunder over Louisville (but hey no one can be as good as KY kicking off the derby!!)

After it was over of course we just hung around because it was a zoo of people trying to get out as quick as possible...so we just hung out and had a good time!

Well when we did get to the car and got on he road...you guessed it..it was pretty bad...so kind of a buzz kill for the end of the night..but hey like i said..traffic has taught me patience so there is really nothing you can do about it..just go with it and not let it ruin your night (because it will if you let it- i cant take all the credit for this philosphy...my husband is actually the one who has taught me this after living here since 07)

Then on the way home TC, Callie, and Brady picked us all up Del Taco- Callie and Brady had never had Del Taco

If everyone is wondering what that it ..it is a up scale Taco Bell..and pretty tasty!!

Hope Everyone is enjoying their afternoon...we are getting new flooring on our stairs today so stay tuned for some pics~

Movie Sets....basically in my back yard

Good Morning All-

Well a couple of weeks ago I was doing my usual running routine to Magic Mountain and I noticed something on the other side o f the road...I could not figure out what was going on....since the restaurant they were at had been closed down for several months...

Well it was a movie set..they had snow machines....prop police cars and police officers...it was so cool...

So I ran back as fast as I could to get TC....and we got the car and did the tourist drive by several times so we could get some pics (i am attaching them)

If you ever come to LA....you will see these little yellow signs everywhere...I mean in Valencia right now they are all over the place...They have weird letters like codes and arrows and we have figured out they are like a map for people doing the sets...

TC and I said one day we are just going to follow them around and see what we stumble upon...

So update on Carmageddon...Californians are making me proud...the aerial views are looking pretty good..however there have been several reports of accidents on the side streets people are taking..

And we heard on the news this morning from the contractor...and for every hour he is late..it is $72K penalty...

Much love to all..and I hear it has been very hott in KY..so everyone stay cool and hydrated!

Carmageddon anyone

so lots going on tonight...was watching the 9pm news tonight to see how many fools are stuck on the 405 and saw Monticello KY pop up...a lady evidently actually jumped over the judges bench and went after the judge ...I am going to hope that maybe it was just the heat and humidity in KY that made her act a 'fool

Now on to the 405 closure...i have been hearing from some of my girlfriends in KY and my father..evidently the word has traveled some 2500 miles away.

For those of you who don't know the 405 freeway is one if not the busiest freeway in the world...You know all those times a couple of months ago when you would hear from me saying...ahhh just sitting on the 405...that is when our office was in Torrance and I would spend up to 3hours trying to get home on that devil of a freeway....

I have spent alot of time on the 405 in my short amount of time here..and we have really bonded..but i am happy to report I do not have to take that freeway anymore since our office has moved to Cypress...

It is so funny when I think back...we all know how they have been working on 64 construction since i was like 5 it feels like...but I used to get tore up when driving to Louisville...and it would take me 2 hours...well that was like 85 miles...now when i go to work..it is 55 miles....and still takes me 2 hours..crazy huh when you think about it...So when asked what have the freeways taught you..they have taught me patience!!

It is so funny out here they started months ago making it known about the 405 closure...the closure is needed to demolish a bridge so they can expand the 405..(please take note that it is already 5-6 lanes one way already) We would see on the signs at first saying expect delay...now they say...expect Big Delay...

I think they should read...DON'T DO IT...DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!

The other night on the news they were telling people if they had to get out...make sure to pack food, water, and a tent in your car...just in case you got stuck somewhere...

I mean who in their right mind would even think about venturing out...come on Californians..make me proud and have some sense about you.

So what are TC and I doing this weekend you ask....um if we cant get there by foot or bike we wont be there...we are not going anywhere..or doing anything...except watching the nightly news and making fun of the people who attempt to get out in this madness.....

Pics of the house

So we are working on the house slowly..but it is coming along rathe nice...I hope to have it looking good by the time everyone starts to visit..

see the latest