September 29, 2008

Autumn is here.

ATVs on Pismo

So I realize that I never finished posting about our trip.  Saturday we ended up driving south and decided to drive to Pismo Beach to ride ATVs on the shore!  So we got down to the little shack that rents them out but they turned Seth away because the conditions were too dangerous. Needless to say we were pretty bummed, but we did get a chance to go swimming in the hotel pool, sit in the spa, ate crab at the Cracked Crab, and then ate gelato while walking downtown. We still really wanted to do the dunes, so we decided to try again the next day.

Sunday morning we headed down to the beach shack again to see if the conditions were any better than the day before. The lady at the shack radioed the guy who was out on the dunes, and he said it was pretty windy. She told us to come back the next day. We told her we wouldn't even be in town the next day. She continued to tell us it was dangerous, but she didn't exactly so "no." We were like, "o.k. well what do you recommend we do?" and she told us to drive down on the beach and check it out for ourselves. So that is what we did. We drove on the beach literally. Grover beach is the only spot in California where you can actually drive your vehicle on the actual beach. Seth let air out of our tires so that we would not get stuck, and then we drove a couple miles on the sand. We went right up to the water and it splashed on our truck.

We eventually saw the guy who was renting out the ATV's and giving instructions on how to use them. He was letting a guy go out on the dunes as we pulled up, so I knew we had a chance that he would let us go too. When I hopped out and walked up to the rental trailer I was instantly being covered in sand that was flying all over in the strong wind. I felt like I was in a sand storm. Luckily I had my reading glasses on and Seth has his sunglasses, so that helped a little. Just a little. While we were standing there I just pretended as if sand was not flying into my face constantly while trying to talk to the guy. He gave us what he called a safety speech.... I think it was more of a death speech. Pretty much he was just telling us we could die, he almost died one time, five or six people have died this year and as he was saying all of this an ambulance was slowly driving by and he told us that someone could be dead right then. Again, I just pretended it didn't bother me, or we would never make it on the ATVs. We told him that we were going to be careful (and we meant it too!)

Finally after showing us how they worked: gas, reverse, front brakes, back brakes etc. we we free! The first couple of feet I drove were so thrilling! I haven't been on one since I was a kid! The safety man told me to drive behind Seth so if something bad happened it would happen to him and not me (great.... i know) but that is what I did. (At first anyway.)

The first big dune we came upon I was amazed. They were huge. You can't really see how big they are until you inch your bike up to the edge and look over. Scary. So all of a sudden I found myself looking over a sand cliff. We found a different way and continued driving around for the next two hours. I had so so so much fun. Having CF makes me feel weak very often, but that is not who I really am... not deep down. Anyway, we had a great time exploring. It was so vast for miles and miles. You would of thought we were in a giant desert, not near the shore at all. It reminded me of how I imagine Africa to be.

One of the times I went down a hill that was too big for me. Seth was cheering, but I was shaking my head back and forth thinking, "No. I didn't mean to do that... I wasn't being careful enough... I could have gotten killed.... and I need to be waaaayyy more careful." I didn't make that mistake again.

Another time I was going up a steep hill and I gave it more gas and momentum than it needed and I went flying after I hit the top. Seth saw it. He said I totally left the ground and all four wheels were in the air! The thuds from landing were huge and I instantly knew I would be sore the next day.... but it was so worth it! I really wish I had a picture of when I caught air!!!! It was so thrilling and I was so happy! Seth caught air too several times ... but I think he had done it before.

Overall it was a wonderful weekend. I loved the adventure of it all. I also loved coming home that night to see Levi. That was the longest amount of time that I had not seen him. We were so blessed and yes I was very, very sore!










September 20, 2008

Paso Robles


Seth's home!  Were not home!  Yesterday evening Seth finally returned from his training!  It was a long two weeks for both of us.  It was hard and stressful for us but we are finally done.  Seth aced his final and got all 50 out of 50 correct.  He got a certificate that can be used on future resumes and a special little Valley lapel pin to wear on suit .. Hehe.

Levi is still with my parents, and is coming home Sunday.  He had a fun time at Disneyland.  I miss the little guy so much!

Anyway, last night when Seth came home we decided to go on a spur of the moment getaway! We packed up (rather quickly I might add) and hopped in Seth's truck not really knowing where we were going!  It was so fun.  We didn't know whether to head North or South.  We ended up heading South and ended up in Paso Robles.  So right now I am sitting in a fancy hotel room typing this! (& doing my vest of course)

For the last two years on our anniversary I have been in the hospital. Even though we are a couple weeks early we wanted to take advantage of the fact that Levi is away and celebrate seven years married while we have the chance!

Today we might drive down to San Luis Obispo, Solvang, or even Santa Barbara.  We don't know yet.  I do want to go swimming in the heated pool here and sit in the jacuzzi or sauna too.  We'll see! 

September 15, 2008

Myers Briggs

So as you may know from reading my sisters blog that that she took a personality test and posted her results.  She told me to take it too- so I did without reading hers first as to not influence my answers.  Anyway, here are the results it gave me:

INFP
Idealistic, loyal to their values and to people who are important to them. Want an external life that is congruent with their values. Curious, quick to see possibilities, can be catalysts for implementing ideas. Seek to understand people and to help them fulfil their potential. Adaptable, flexible, and accepting unless a value is threatened.
 
Careers
  • Psychologist
  • Human resources professional
  • Physical therapist
  • Researcher
  • Translator/interpreter
  • Legal mediator
  • Employee development specialist
  • Religious worker
  • College professor : humanities
  • Massage therapist
  • Social worker
  • Librarian
  • Fashion designer
  • Holistic health practitioner
  • Editor / art director (web sites)

I don't know where she got her super long description... this is all it gave me. It is funny though because under the careers it is pretty accurate.  I have actually considered what it would be like if I had had several of those jobs on that are on that list in the past.  I wonder if they add "stay at home mom" to any of the lists because I really do enjoy that job as well!

September 08, 2008

Apart


"Cause I'm all alone
theres no one here beside me
my problems have all gone
theres no one here to reside me...
But you gotta have friends"



Life as a single mom. That's me for the next two weeks. After a super fun day at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom yesterday for my birthday Seth stayed up in the north bay, while I drove home to Santa Cruz. He began his two week training for his new job. The hardest part for me so far was coming home to a dark, empty house all by myself last night. (Levi stayed the night at my mom & dad's last night.) Not so used to the creepiness of that. I was slowly walking around checking behind every door ... pushing them open fast just in case a monster was about to jump out. Haha. I was actually on the phone with Seth too- just to make me feel better. Today was good. I took Levi to swimming lessons and then we ran a couple errands around town. Levi just finished a nice long bath and we are just chillin here. Now I am debating whether or not to make milk and cookies tonight for the two of us.

As for Seth, he has called me on a couple of his breaks. He had his first test today and he was the only one in the class who aced it! I'm proud of him, of course. Also he wore one of his two nice suits.  Some of the other men there had on only a tie and a shirt, but the teacher told them without mentioning names that they were not dressed professionally enough for the job. The attire is supposed to be "fortune 500" -I'm not sure what that means, but you get the point. Some of them, including Seth are getting together tonight to study more, and do their homework for tomorrows session. Valley is paying for his two weeks at Holiday Inn, meals and gas during his training along with a small hourly wage for class time and homework time.

We are plugging along. It is nicer for me today to be home as it is getting dark and to have Levi here too to make it seem less weird than last night. Plus, my mom and dad are going to Southern California next week and Levi might get to go with them and even to Disneyland! I'll miss him, but how can a deprive a four year old of a trip to Disneyland... plus it will make chores a whole lot easier for me around here the second week. I'm looking forward to that time as well.

Before Seth left, I packed his suitcase and briefcase for him. It was all so professional looking. I had no idea how to do it. Do I fold the ties or roll them? (I went with folding.. ) I even looked up on the Internet the proper way to fold men's dress shirts. Haha. The whole idea of being married to a man who is away on a business trip is still tripping me out- but I'm up for the adventure!

September 05, 2008

Gracias Amigos

Thank you guys! Yesterday, despite having a fever, I had a wonderful birthday because of all of the phone calls, messages, gifts and comments from everyone I love! Thanks for making me feel special ... I love you guys!

September 02, 2008

Tuesday

The weather is beautiful today, and I am feeling better than I was on the weekend. Not normal yet, but grateful to not be so sick anymore. Have a wonderful evening!