Merry Christmas

If you enjoy games here is a site that will keep you busy during those cold winter nights: http://www.miniclip.com/games/en/christmas.php

Wishing you a very merry musical Christmas, too! Check out Strait No Chaser at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

And a Happy New Year!

Registered

Now I'm beginning to be excited about the Master's program! I registered for classes tonight--next, I'll get my fee waiver approved. Now that's excited! I wonder what the end of this journey will be? Meanwhile, back to wrapping Christmas gifts since we can barely walk through our office at home.

The Value of a Visa Gift Card

I stopped in at the credit union this morning to make a deposit and pull out a little cash for the hairdresser's Christmas gift. Spying the gift visa cards and thinking cash might be a little "tacky" I asked about the cards and learned 1) they cost $3.50 and 2) they expire in one year. So for a small amount of cash they don't make sense. I asked whether they are accepted in Europe and of course "they are accepted everywhere Visa is accepted" so that's a plus. My next thought was--Wow, wouldn't this be a nice way to send money over to my brothers' kids for gifts!! My next thought was--bad idea! who would want American dollars anyway these days?!!

The Gift of Opportunity

I received word today that I have been accepted into the Master's program (Higher Education Administration). Of course this came on the day I am beginning to feel my annual Christmas stress! It's great news but I don't feel excited about it yet. It's a little surreal to be going back to school at age 58 (almost 59!) to complete something I've wanted for many years. We'll just see how this goes. Tonight I'll begin figuring out how to get through the maze of paperwork in order to get started in January!

Making a Christmas House

Last night Ryder wanted to decorate for Christmas after observing the lights on E. Hampton Way on the way home from Jakie and Christian's house. I investigated one of the green and red Christmas tubs from the garage and Ryder was ecstatic to find our 2' high green and red Christmas ball tree from last year, a white trumpet (decorative only), a large metal birdhouse ornament, two fake battery operated candles and a plushy soft snowman. After finding 4 double A batteries and lighting up the fake "candles" Ryder entertained himself by looking at his multiple reflections. He spent what seemed like hours "playing" the trumpet and finding suitable decorative locations for the various holiday paraphernalia. This entire process took in actuality only a half hour. Ryder had made his "Christmas House" and it was enough for me!

Miriam and Stu

We drove to Costa Mesa on Tuesday, November 20 and stayed overnight at the Holiday Inn http://www.hicostamesa.com/. The hotel was very nice with a very comfortable bed. I would stay there again.

On Wednesday the 21st we stopped in for a visit with Miriam and Stu in Irvine.

They are doing well enough although I would have liked to have spent more time with them. They have their routine and seem to be comfortable with it. I have to remember to send Miriam that book list I promised her! Here is one of my favorite pictures of them from 1978.

San Diego Thanksgiving

It's the Friday after Thanksgiving and we're stuffed turkeys. Michelle, Mark and Reed had Thanksgiving at their house for the first time and it was all good. As though we didn't have enough to eat already, we headed for Fidel's Norte in Carlsbad this evening only to eat Mexican food followed closely by homemade pie and ice cream. I recommend the Chicken Tostada Suprema. The chicken was excellent and the guacamole was just right. The tostada had good flavor and thankfully I didn't need to add any salsa. I wouldn't recommend either of the two salsas that were presented. I would go back. It was good Mexican food but not great.

Tomorrow is a photo shoot at Michelle and Mark's so we hope to be alert enough to look good. It's been a relaxing four days and the drive home tomorrow will be a chore. I'm looking forward to getting back to the daily grind and the Christmas rush. Next week . . . Pismo.

Great Western School photo 1934

Howard is the tallest boy in the top row. Miriam is in the middle row, third from the left.

Blogger Newbie

This is my first evening blogging and I can see this could become addictive. I brought some work along with me on this trip but it's not getting done. Instead I'm playing around with this blog at 11 pm! I don't know if this is a good idea or not but I'll give it a try.

Rego Monterey Reunion

We left home this morning at 10--after a Starbucks stop we drove on the Los Banos to have what is becoming our favorite breakfast at Eddie's Famous Cafe. I had an avocado and Jack cheese omelette with home fries and Eddie's wonderful salsa. We drove on through Hollister to Monterey, arriving at the Hilton Garden Inn around 3:30 pm. The weather is perfect and we enjoyed a short visit to a neighboring shopping center where we picked up a gift for Mark. He turned 36 yesterday.

We returned to the hotel and had a "snack" of a crab louie salad. Of course, right after we finished Mark and Michelle showed up along with David and they were starving so we ate at California Pizza Kitchen. Reed entertained us before dinner by hunting for porcupines in the bushes outside the restaurant. He entertained us through dinner chattering away.

On Saturday we joined the rest of the Rego's at the beach. Here is a picture of our immediate family taken at the reunion.