Spring Break = Masters

It's Spring Break around and that only means one thing. Masters Week. Being from Augusta, originally, I get all excited to head out the Augusta National and watch the best golf tournament ever. (The only golf tournament that exists in my book, because it's just not that interesting if it's not happening in Augusta.)

The photos are a little dark, because The Husband doesn't know how to check the settings on my camera. And I let him be the photo geek for Monday's practice round.

The course was in beautiful shape as always. The azaleas and dogwoods were in full bloom (although they had been a little beaten down from the rain the night before).

We got to get close to Rory McIlroy, who at 19 years old, is the youngest player to ever qualify for the Masters.

Luke Donald got tips on the putting green. Later, we would get to see the dynamic duo of hotness that was Donald and Villegas, who played together Monday. Most men don't understand quite how hot Villegas is, so of course there are no pictures of him from the practice round, so I found this one on the internet for you to admire.

Yummy!

The umbrellas behind the clubhouse were not raised because it was so very windy, but I'd be willing to bet the egg salad sandwiches taste better from that side of the rope.

We're still watching coverage of the Masters to see who will don the green jacket this year. And we'll be back next year for more fun.

Next up, divorce parties and spas.

Random Thoughts

Am I the only person in the world who really dislikes Angelina Jolie? I have to admit, she's done an amazing job at cleaning up her image...not to mention, snag one of the sexiest men alive. But I still really don't like her.

Before Brad Pitt

With Brad Pitt

I'm tired of all the political bullshit. A year ago, Democrats were bitching about Bush's economic stimulus plan...and now Republicans are bitching about Obama's. It seems to me that basically, most people want a quick fix (read..check in the mail) without taking any personal accountability. Call me a ditsy Miss America candidate (except I do actually have a minor in Political Science), but what about peacefully trying to come up with a solution together instead of having a bunch of power hungry assholes blaming each other.

2008

2009

Why is health insurance such a racket? We paid an $86 co-pay for Tamiflu this week, and Daughter #2 couldn't even keep it down! EIGHTY SIX DOLLARS...that's highway robbery!!

Did the same nutjob who figured out that if you made cocaine into crack it would be more addictive, also invent facebook?


That is all.

We've got the funk

Today is my 5th day out of work in 3 weeks. If it weren't due to sickness and if I didn't feel so guilty about missing work, I might could enjoy some time off. The husband and I were both sick two weeks ago, Daughter #2 had it last week, and Daughter #1 has the straight-up funky flu this week...YUCK!!


Luckily, this past weekend we were all feeling well enough to head to Atlanta to the American Girl Boutique and Bistro. The trip was supposed to be for Daughter #1's birthday, but we all had so much fun. We had a very girlie day with the three of us plus my mom and sil. We ate lunch in the VERY PINK and very cute bistro at the store. They had high chairs and menus for the girls dolls. The place was so cute, but completely overwhelming. Hello, what recession??? When we first walked in, we saw a little girl's bag and thought "she racked up"......little did we know what we would be walking out with later.


Daughter #1 already had Felicity, and she added Felicity's friend, Elizabeth, to her budding collection. She also got a ball gown for Felicity and a riding habit for Elizabeth. (Not to mention, she got Felicity's hair done...yes, the store has a doll salon!)


Daughter #2 got her first American Girl while we were there. She chose Molly. She was very excited not only to get her doll, but to also get matching pajamas. She has worn her red and white striped pjs EVERY night since we arrived home, so she can match her doll.

So, we had a lovely respite from illness, but now the funk has hold of us again. Hopefully we will get over this soon and start our spring sports schedule by the end of the week.

This looks like a job for the Supreme Court!

You're kidding, right?

Have A HAPPY HAPPY New Year!!

Resolutions

I don't normally make New Year's Resolutions. Because I normally don't keep them. I think if you're going to make a lifestyle change, you can do it any time. You don't have to wait until a new year begins. Plus, I'm really bad at making lifestyle changes.

I didn't make any resolutions last year, but I did for 2007 (you can see them here). I haven't kept ANY of my 2007 resolutions, and I guess if I were to make some this year, they would be similar.

So, here are my 2009, non-resolutions, in no particular order.
1. I know I'm not going to keep my house spotless, so I'm going to get a maid (every two weeks, minimum)
2. I may not rejoin the gym, but I'm going to plan on going for more walks (at least 4 days a week).
3. Cut down on smoking.
4. Be better about making appointments
5. Host something at my house a few times a year (since I'll have a maid cleaning, this will be doable)
6. Eat more fruits and vegetables (and make the kids do so, as well). In fact, I want to twice a week eat no meat at all.

Maybe, I'll be better at getting this together this year.

A Very Merry Christmas

My parents and grandmother made the drive to our house for Christmas Eve. We had an amazing beef tenderloin for dinner, sitting by the tree in the dining room. I've finally gotten my dining room looking the way I want it, with help from the new pictures I got from my grandmother's house.

After opening the Christmas Eve pajamas, putting out the reindeer food, and singing an interesting, booty-shaking rendition of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" on the front porch, we sent the kids off to bed.

Sometime during the night, Santa made very nice stop at our house. Daughter #1 got an I-Pod, which never left her ears that day. Daughter #2 got an "Intendo" DS. Both of these items made our travels to the in-laws much more pleasant that afternoon.

I was very spoiled this year. I got new sheets, a David Yurman bracelet, 1st edition Shakespeare's, a gorgeous ring, some clothes, and some golf accessories.

After eating our sausage pinwheels and opening presents with my family, we packed up the car and headed to the in-laws. We had this shindig at my bil's house and it was wonderful. All of the cousins played together, we ate, and were merry.

Since we got home Saturday, I have been to a neighborhood get together, held a spend-the-night party for Daughter #1, played golf, and gone out to dinner. It has been quite a full holiday.

We are still unsure of our plans for tonight. Our "family" plans were canceled and we're not sure if we're going to go to the "adult" party. We usually have people over for food and football on New Year's Day, so we may take it easy tonight.

Hope you have a Happy New Year. See you in 2009.

Updated blog

Yes...This is my third post of the day. That's more than I've blogged in a year. I just wanted to give props to Simply Fabulous Templates for my new template. I'm digging the new look!!

San Francisco

We did, in fact, make it to San Francisco at the end of July. I never blogged about it, because I'm a major slacker and just haven't blogged at all in six months or longer. So, here it is....our San Fran adventure.

Day 1 - Friday

We arrive in San Francisco to beautiful weather. Leaving Atlanta, it was somewhere in the neighborhood of 95 degrees, and San Fran was in the low 70s. The husband, brother, sil and I took BART straight into the city to find some lunch in Union Square and hop on a cable car.

We waited what seemed like forever in line at the turnaround to get the cable car, but enjoyed the scenic S.F. hills on the way to Fisherman's wharf.

Fisherman's Wharf, while a must-do tourist destination, was not my favorite part of the trip.

We took some pictures of Alcatraz while avoiding pigeon poo and then headed for drinks at the Fog Harbor Fish House on Pier 39.

(Photo from www.gosanfranciscocard.com)

After drinks, we took BART to Livermore to meet all the family at the hotel.

Day 2 - Saturday

First stop...Muir Woods.

a family could live inside the trunk of one of these trees

It was beautiful and so quiet and a not-so-faint smell of marijuana in the air. After walking around the woods, we drove back over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge into the city and had lunch at Tadich's.

(photo from www.ugonnaeatthat.com)

My parents had eaten there 20 years ago and were anxious to return. It is considered the oldest restaurant in S.F. and I can see why it is still around. The food was very good. I had the cioppino and was quite surprised when it came with a bib!!

(photo from www.ugonnaeatthat.com)

It was well worth the humiliation of donning a child's accessory. On our way back to Livermore, we drove down the beautiful and oh-so-crooked Lombard Street.

That night we got to catch up with lots of family members at my cousin's rehearsal cocktail party in Dublin.

Day 3 - Sunday

Sunday we made the trek back down to Fisherman's Wharf and take the ferry to Sausalito to eat brunch at Horizons.

Cloudy skies and dark water on the S.F. side of the bay

Clear skies and beautiful water on the Sausalito side of the bay

photo from http://mtkilimonjaro.blogspot.com

So yes we did take public transit for 45 minutes, walk half an hour, and take a 30 minute ferry ride just to have brunch on Sausalito and then quickly make the same trip in reverse to get to Livermore in time for my cousin's wedding. (Eating is IMPORTANT!!)

The wedding was at the Martinelli Center at Garre Winery in Livermore, and it the scenery was almost as gorgeous as the bride, which is saying a lot!!



It was a wonderful weekend. I feel very lucky to have been able to go spend the weekend for his wedding.

Weekend Redux

We had a fun weekend. Daughter #2's birthday was Saturday, and being so close to Christmas, she's never had a proper party. I figured it was time for her to have one, so I took eight little girls (my two included) to get manicures. While waiting for each other to get some seriously cool nail art (snowflakes, rhinestones, and polka dots, oh my!) they took turns sitting in the massage chairs. Daughter #1 is hooked! After our pamper fest, we went to Pizza Hut and pigged out. I would say that the party was a success!

My brother and sil arrived Saturday afternoon, and the girls were thrilled to hear that they will have a new cousin arriving in June. I can't wait to start smocking for the baby. We had a great time with them, but was extremely disappointed this morning when my brother and Daughter #1 woke up this morning with the stomach virus. Nothing says Merry Christmas like hugging the toilet.

I still have not finished Christmas shopping, but hopefully the kids will feel better tomorrow, so I can get out.

San Francisco Here We Come

We're heading to San Francisco Friday and I cannot wait. I have not been on a major trip (that requires a flight) in almost ten years!! And I have not been to San Francisco in EIGHTEEN YEARS! I was so young the last time I was there that I remember very little about the city. I am excited to see the city from the eyes of an adult.

My cousin is getting married at the Garre Winery in Livermore on Sunday. Unfortunately that means we'll have little time in San Francisco proper. Fortunately, that means that we'll get to explore some vineyards and do some things outside of the city that we wouldn't normally do.

I'll be sure to blog the trip when we get back.