BE STILL MY HEART!

There are so many good dancers this year on Dancing With The Stars. But my favorite, by far, is Giles Marini. He and Cheryl Burke are amazing. If you didn't see them do the Argentine Tango last night or tonight, watch this video. If you did, you'll still want to watch it again. They are amazing. All three judges gave them a perfect 10. He (and the dance) is Hot, hot, hot!

I also like Melissa Rycroft, Ty Murray and Lil' Kim.

Who do you think will win this year?


Hugs and kisses,
Kat

I DON'T EVEN CARE

I didn't do a "ding dong" thing today. Not one single constructive thing. And I don't even care.
It was just too pretty to stay inside. A true convertible day. I played tennis and then I put the top down and just drove. And smiled....

Sometimes, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!



Hugs and kisses,
Kat

MY NAME IS KAT AND.....

If you know me at all, you know I don't watch much TV. I'd much rather be doing something. Anything. I like staying busy. I feel like I'm wasting time to just sit in front of the TV. I know, I know...lots of people enjoy just sitting. Not me.

My son told me when 24 first started that I really needed to watch this incredible show. Did I listen? Nope. Fast forward to a few months ago when a friend was moving and gave me a large box full of books and videos. Inside was the first three seasons of 24. George and I decided to see what the fuss was about. Oh.My.Word! We became addicted immediately. Luckily, our local library has every season on DVDs so I was able to get the rest and we're now on Season 5. So what the problem, you ask. I'm spending h-o-u-r-s sitting in front of the TV. Tense and holding my breath from all of the excitment. We watch one episode right after the other. It's pitiful. I can not imagine how anyone is able to watch only one show and then have to wait a full week to find out what happens next.

Yep, I admit it... I'm addicted to Jack! Sad, but true.

Are you?

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The first couple seasons of LOST was also in the box. Should I watch them too or will it be yet another addiction?

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

GIVE ME A BREAK

I think both the computer and I need a break from each other. Since we returned home from our trip I've been sitting in front of it quite a bit trying to download all the photos from the trip, catch up on all the blog reading I missed while we were away, checking all my e-mails and, of course, hopping around checking out websites for the wedding. My head is spinning and I think the computer is overheating. LOL

It's been raining here almost non stop for the last two days. I don't remember us EVER having this much continuous rain since we've lived here! All the lakes, ponds, creeks and our pool are filled to the max. It finally stopped around 2:15 this afternoon. The sun actually is out. Yeah! So....time for a break!


Hugs and kisses,
Kat

KEEP THE IDEAS COMING

Thanks everyone that commented on my post last night with suggestions for planning a beach wedding. Keep 'em coming. I want to hear what's worked and what didn't. Send me photos. Send me ideas. Send me a supply of Extra Strength Excedrin Migraine. (just kidding...kinda/sorta)

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

WELL.....

(edited to add - Please put on your "thinking cap" too. I know how creative and talented YOU are. Even if you don't have any suggestions or ideas now, please keep this in your mind and let me know if you see ANYTHING in a magazine, movie or on a blog that might be good...in all areas of the wedding....from the invitations to the party afterwards and everything in between. All suggestions are welcome and will be appreciated at any time. Of course everything will be Bree's decision, but I'm going to help as much as I can since her work schedule will keep her busy. I hope to do most of the leg work and just bring up possibilites for her approval. I'm going to the library, the book store and the internet to begin my research.)

I need some help...YOURS! I've got a wedding to plan and I just know YOU have some good ideas. Bree and Jay want a beach wedding next summer. We've got the beach...now all we need to do is come up with a plan. I'd really appreciate any ideas you might have about anything to do with a beach wedding. It's been a long long long time since I planned a wedding. Feel free to e-mail me with any advice you might have. I've started collecting ideas. My head is already spinning. Help!



Hugs and kisses,
Kat

DEAR BODY

Dear Body,

I apologize for the abuse I have put you through these last two weeks. I have subjected you to a much dryer climate. I didn't drink enough water or use moisturizer enough the first few days. I have not given you enough sleep....up too early and to bed too late. I've pushed you to your limit with long hard hikes in lots of dry heat. I know you function best when I stay away from carbs, yet I have over indulged in them....french fries, donuts, bagels, pastas, candy, pretzels, ice cream, bread, etc. And to top it off, I have not been to the gym even once. No bike riding or tennis either. Sigh....

Thank you for hanging in there with me. Starting tomorrow things will be back to normal.

It's a promise!

Hugs,
Kat

WE'RE HOME!

Kat

FINGERS CROSSED

After all my complaining yesterday, things are looking up today. We were able to get a rental car this morning and drove to San Diego. We've been upgraded to first class. Yeah! It will be almost midnight before we finally make it home, but at least we'll be home tonight. Fingers crossed.

Thank goodness I brought my laptop or I'd be going C-R-A-Z-Y. Between it and my iPhone, I have lots to do while I wait both here and during our layover in Dallas.

I saw on the news this morning that the winds caused lots of problems yesterday, not just with all of us trying to fly in and out of Palm Springs. Thousands were without power and there was lots of trees down, accidents, etc. 70 MPH wind can do that. I'm just thankful that we weren't on a plane when the winds started! AND I'm thankful we were able to get a hotel room last night and didn't have to sleep in the airport.

Thanks for all of your prayers and comments.

Hugs,
Kat

WHY, OH WHY CAN'T I JUST TWITCH MY NOSE ....

It just kept getting better and better! What I really mean is that it just kept getting worse and worse. No available flights out of Palm Desert for 2 or 3 days. Our only choice is to spend the night here and drive to San Diego tomorrow to catch an afternoon flight home.

BUT....

oh yes, it gets even better...there were no rental cars left at the airport because of all the problems this afternoon so we had to take a cab to the hotel. As I type this, George is on the phone trying to use American Express services to help us get a rental car for tomorrow. This whole thing has worn us out.

Sure wish I could twitch my nose and be home in my own bed.

Hugs,
Kat

@#$%&!!!!!!!!

Ugly word, ugly word, ugly word! It's official. We won't be flying out of Palm Springs tonight (because of high winds).

We had to reclaim our luggage, which I handled, and now poor George is in the VERY VERY VERY long ticketing line to work on getting us home. Somehow. Some way. Oh, and a room for tonight.

Thank goodness, I have my laptop with me so I can blog away. That's the ONLY nice thing. Our vacation has been so busy that my blog reading time has been very limited. Hmmmm...looks like I'll have time now......

Hugs,
Kat

EVEN THE BIRDS ARE GROUNDED

Even the birds flew inside the terminal to get out of the strong winds!

Okay, this isn't fun. We're sitting in the airport in Palm Springs. There's a chance we might not get out tonight. Our plane was diverted to San Diego due to high winds and may or may not be able to land in Palm Springs. We're sitting here waiting to see. Send up a prayer that it gets here and that we can fly out. They have announced there are no other flights available out of Palm Desert for the next 2-3 days...everything is booked solid because of spring breakers. We're hoping we can at least get to Dallas tonight because our chances are better to get a flight home tomorrow.

We've had a wonderful two weeks. I hate that our trip ends like this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs,
Kat

OUR FRIDAY - 3 CITIES IN ONE DAY

We made a whirlwind trip to Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach and San Juan Capistrano. The day was very warm (close to 90) and beautiful in Palm Desert when we left, but the temperatures dropped as we drove and we were surprised at how smoggy/foggy it became. You might be able to tell from my photos.
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Our first stop was at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. What a gorgeous place! We were both expecting it to be out in the countryside maybe on a hill surrounded by vineyards. Nope...the town is literally right outside the gate. How sad! You can literally see stores across the street as you view the grounds. It's a "crying shame". That being said, we really enjoyed our visit to this very old mission. It was founded in 1775. The beautiful Great Stone Church, dedicated in 1806, was the pride of the mission. In 1812 it was destroyed by an earthquake. 40 people were buried alive.

I'm sure many of you have heard of the Capistrano Swallows. The swallows return every year. The "scout swallows" come first on March 19th, St. Joseph's Day and the main flock arrive at the mission a few days later. They build their nest and predictably leave on October 23rd, the feast day of St . John of Capistrano. You can read the story here.
























We had lunch at El Adobe de Capistrano. Click here to read about the history of this place.
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Here's a few photos I took from the car as we drove in Laguna Niguel and Newport Beach. Can you imagine living all packed in together on those hills? I can't.


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Here's two photos of the beach. So different from our white fluffy sand beaches. I must say I like ours better, but it is very pretty along their coast.

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We also stopped and spend some time at the Fashion Island Mall in Newport Beach. Amazing! A small city of shopping, dining, business, theater, etc. So much to see and do it can make your head spin!
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It's Saturday as I type this and we've spent the day doing a major walk all through El Paseo after breakfast. We came back to the condo to shower and do a bit of packing and now we're going to the movies. (***edited to add...we saw DUPLICITY with Julia Roberts and Clive Owen...just "so so" in my humble opinion) We'll finish packing tonight and we fly home tomorrow.....

CALIFORNIA HAS BEEN A BLAST!

Hugs,
Kat