Unexpected Surprise(s)

Our drive to Big Bear was uneventful and only took us 4 1/2 hours to reach our destination. This was our unexpected surprise #1. We thought it would take longer.

Big Bear is a beautiful ski resort town in southern California that is also home to a large lake, Big Bear Lake. Being that I grew up in southern California, the OC (Orange County) if you will, I grew up going to Big Bear for church retreats, vacations, and skiing. I was excited to be going back to this very cute, quaint ski town as it had been more than a few years since I'd last been there.

Unexpected surprise #2 happened on Saturday when we got the chance to do this...


We took the chair lift up to the top of the mountain. Snow Summit is one of the ski resorts in Big Bear that is open in the summer too. You can take the chair lift up to check out the unbelievable views, have lunch, or bike down like we saw so many people do. It's crazy if you ask me but I saw first hand that it's really quite popular. Here are a few pictures of the view while we were on the chair lift...



This next picture is of Allen, Kathy, and Mary. Mary is our friend Kathy's younger sister and she has lived in Big Bear, and worked at Snow Summit, for the last 32 years. She started out as a ski instructor when she was in her 20's and now works as the Asst. Director of the ski school. Let me tell you she knows that mountain like the back of her hand which we would soon find out. At our campfire the night before, Mary asked if any of us wanted to go up the mountain on the chair lift, compliments of her and Snow Summit. Without any hesitation, we all jumped at the chance.


Our happy little group at the top of Snow Summit...


Unexpected surprise #3 came when Mary asked us if we wanted to hike back down the mountain with her, instead of taking the chair lift down. She told us it would take about an hour and that it was all down hill. Five of us took her up on the offer.

Not only was it NOT all down hill, and it took us 2 hours, not 1...but oh my goodness it was so worth it! This unexpected surprise was incredible...to think that I hiked 3 1/2 miles down a mountain is amazing. Those opportunities just don't happen for me on a weekly basis if you know what I mean. During the hike I just kept thinking how lucky I was to have this experience and how thankful I was that I was in shape enough to be able to tackle it in the first place.

I'll have to admit, today I'm a little sore...but you should see the smile on my face!

Birthday Greetings!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BREN!!

Bren, I hope your special day is as special as you are to others!

Happy Birthday dear friend!!

It's Friday (Or Thursday As The Case May Be)

Since I'll be away from the computer in just a short while, I thought I'd ask you my Friday question today, so...

It's Thursday, and I'm nosy...

So here's the question: Good & Plenty. Do you love them or hate them...because I think it's either one or the other.

My friend Bren sent me a box of Good & Plenty in my birthday gift box. It was a good thing because I LOVE THEM! How about you?

Time to Relax

Monday and Tuesday were insanely busy at work. If a patient could have a complaint, a fever, an infection, numerous questions, medication issues, life threatening potassium levels, you name it...it was to be had!
But I survived and now I'm insanely happy because as of today I'm on VACATION!!

Do you see me doing the happy dance! Yes, I'm on vacation for the next 2 weeks and I'll have lots to share! We leave tomorrow for Big Bear for 4 days then head to Washington. I'm looking forward to the cooler weather and seeing the beauty of both these places this time of year.

We'll be traveling through Washington, traversing the state while looking at various areas to possibly move to in the near future. It should be a nice, relaxing road trip. The best part about this is that my son Brandon is going along with us. I'll have him all to myself for the next couple of weeks!

I'm sure I won't have computer access starting tomorrow in Big Bear so I'll be gone from the computer until Sunday night. I'll be having computer withdrawls by Sunday night that's for sure. So if I don't talk to you today, have a great weekend, and one more thing...

HAPPY FALL!!

Ribbon Swag Giveaway

My daughter Courtney wasn't here to help me with the giveaway this time so I enlisted the help of my husband Howard. Although he doesn't understand all of this "blogging stuff", he did agree to pick a winner for me.

Look at all the names in the pumpkin...50 to be exact!


Oh I'm so excited, he's picked a winner...


And look who it is...can you read it?


Congratulations MICHELLE A. Michelle is a friend that lives in Canada and I'm thrilled to be sending her the ribbon swag as a gift. I hope you enjoy it Michelle!

And a big thank you goes out to all who participated...not only do you make giveaways fun but you make each of my days more interesting, more enjoyable, and more meaningful!

52 Blessings

Today is Sunday and I am blessed!

Another favorite of mine...Above All



** The winner for the ribbon garland has been drawn. I promise I'll announce it soon. WAIT FOR IT......

What a Shock!

It was close to 10:00pm Sunday night when I decided to go get the mail. We had been gone for 4 days so I knew I'd have lots of junk mail to contend with...but amongst the pile of junk mail was a single key.

I GOT SO EXCITED because when we have a key in our mailbox, it means one thing...that we've got a package in the bigger mailbox below. I opened up the mailbox to find a large white envelope. My mind started backtracking, asking myself "hummm...what have I bought lately?" Nothing, I've ordered nothing...oh yes, except that one little eBay item!

To my complete and utter surprise, this is what I found...


One very gorgeous square beaded tablecloth, and in the most beautiful shade of pink.


With 6 equally as gorgeous matching placements and 6 beaded napkin rings.


Take a look at the bead work and the beautiful shimmery material.

If you can believe it, this is "good mail" that my friend Mandi sent my way, all the way from Australia! All I could say was "NO WAY!" This kindness and generosity, straight from the heart, is touching and unbelievable to me. Mandi, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I LOVE THE GIFTS but I especially love and appreciate that you took the time to find something special that you knew I'd love and to top it off, you knew that I'd enjoy this in my favorite color...PINK!

Thank you sweet beautiful Mandi!

About that little eBay purchase...who could resist this beauty!?! Does anybody else love tassels as much as I do?