More Fun

I'm slacking on my blog, maybe my brain is going in too many directions this week, nah, I think it was just laziness! I finally got my temporary California nursing license so I am starting my job hunt. Not the best economic time to seek employment but I spent 8 hours yesterday filling out online applications at the local hospitals. I found a smaller hospital in Napa that seems to fit me best and they do have a night shift ER opening, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. We continue to enjoy the area, spending Sunday's riding the motorcycle to various areas. Saturday we attended the Pirate Festival in Vallejo and OH MY GOODNESS! It was a blast! Even the attendees were dressed in appropriate pirate garb and we enjoyed the entertainment, the sights, the sounds, the fun everyone was having. No one told me we needed costumes and if we're here next year, Mark and I will have knock your sock off costumes to wear!


Sunday we rode to Lake Berryessa which is on the other side of Napa. The ride itself was awesome and the beauty of the lake was outstanding! Lots of people were in the many park area's enjoying their families, Barbecuing, and swimming in the lake. We might have to picnic there ourselves one day soon!

I've been sewing and have a pile of babies in the works to put in our store. Some need stuffing, some need hair, some need sculpting, and all need clothes! They make Mark chuckle every time he walks by the assortment!

A Great Weekend

We were so happy to have Tabetha, Ayla, and Sophie here for a few days even if it meant I had to drive to the airport in Oakland by myself to pick them up! White knuckle driving, Mark calls it, and boy was that accurate on Thursday. We all went to Marks Change of Command Ceremony on Friday morning, enjoyed lunch there and spent time being introduced to people I will never remember their names! Mark finally, once again, has "a home." Saturday morning we went to China Town and had a good time; Tabetha created her Christmas list there too, LOL! We drove along the coast on the way home, longer than we expected, but the beauty made the time worth it. Saturday evening, two of Tabetha's online mom friends came with their children. Meet and greet, laughter and chaos, smiles and sisterhood over a huge pot of spaghetti, salad, freshly baked bread, and dessert! It was so nice to pull out a bowl of freshly picked cherries to snack on as well!


The girls rode together, Mark and Tabetha took turns pushing the stroller up and down the hills.


They had to touch everything, wow, lots to see!


Tabetha doing the modeling thing!


Can't beat this beauty!


Lots of kids!


Serving up dinner.

Settling In

We finally got home last Wednesday and I have to say, the northern trip was not nearly as scenic as the first and southern route was. We did, however, catch our breath over the beauty of Wyoming, declaring it "a close second to New Mexico". We enjoyed the animal life perched in the near distance, wondering what kind they were. We chuckled over a camel farm, not what we expected in Wyoming for sure! Utah was beautiful as well!




We stopped to see Tabetha, Jeremy, Ayla, and Sophie on the way, enough time to have dinner and play a bit before bed, and then we hit the road again the next morning.



We spent the few days we had piddling around the house, running errands, unpacking the last of the belongings we brought from Virginia, finding a nicer route for Mark to take to work, and just relaxing. My love started his relief week at the station, preparing for change of command on Friday and the house is quiet without him. I will seriously look for a job instead of looking AT jobs now that we're home and settled. Admittedly, I have enjoyed the break from work and just being home playing with fabric, cooking, and nesting.
Tabetha and the girls fly in Thursday morning to attend the Change of Command Ceremony and we'll enjoy their short stay with us.