Vacation

Have you ever got home from vacation and felt like you need a vacation? This is usually the case for us but not this time. This vacation was all about relaxing. We stayed on the beach, so we could go down and play or come have lunch and take a nap with no hassle. the kids weren't constantly asking when we were going to get ready and go to the beach, we were already there.

I think my favorite two things about the vacation were sitting on the deck in the sun listening to the ocean while reading a good book. I love just soaking up the sun. The second thing was breakfast across from the pier. I can stop thinking about the french toast, yumm!

Shara and Jane loved playing in the sand, I don't think they ever got in the water. Their cousins were with us so they always had someone fun to play with and to give them new ideas. Like burying them selves in the sand and taking up lodging in the towel closet. They also got to see some fun wild life, a rabbit, lizards, pelicans, dolphins and the favorite lots of puppy's.

I always enjoy shopping and we did some of that. I bought 3 sand dollars in hopes that one would make it home whole. Nope, all broken beyond repair. The shells and rocks I found all made it.

My least favorite things where being searched at the airport, I don't recommend letting your drivers license expire! Also we cut it a little close heading back to the airport and forgot to fill up the rental car with gas before dropping it off. I think they charged us a default of like $7 a gallon, mind you it's only $4 at the gas station. Oh well, you live and learn.

Over all I think we cant wait to do it again. We love San Clemente, but may venture to other beaches next time too. We recommend this type of vacation to all! Now we are back to everyday life.

Why I Love San Clemente (a.k.a. heaven on earth)

Those of you who know me well, you have probably heard how much I love San Clemente (usually to the point that I annoy you, yes I am aware :] ). Let me give you a few experiences that epitomize why I love it.

Yesterday we went to a gift shop and we were there about 20-30 minutes. About half way through the only guy in the store (I assume it was the owner) goes in the back and brings out a plate with a huge burrito on it and starts eating it next to the register. The register is located in the center of the store. In what I would call a normal/professional setting this would not fly, BUT IN SAN CLEMENTE it is a staple. I love it!! I was thinking, I wish in the middle of a initial evaluation with a patient with a shoulder injury I could get up and bring in huge burrito and be like "Keep telling me about you injury/functional deficits while I pound this burrito" and not have them flinch.

Another time we went to a donut shop for breakfast and the total was $3.46 The shop owner explained that they have a $5.00 minimum to use credit cards, but instead of making me order more food he says "Just come tomorrow and we'll be square" and slams the receipt down on some little spiky thing and gives my food. I was floored!! The next day I went back and explained what had happened the day before. A different guy grabs the spiky thing and asked what my total was. He couldn't find it, but quickly grabbed another receipt and asked "I've got one for 3.20, that is close enough" throws it on and ran my card as if this was standard protocol and occurred all the time.

As we walked around the town, in stores and drove around I can't really say that I found one person that was stressed out. On our first trip a few years ago we actually forgot our cell phone and were wandering around looking for a pay phone. We must have looked distressed because a realtor noticed us and asked if she could help. After explaining our predicament she quickly offerred up her personal cell phone without asking my income range and if was interested in property. This is a realtor folks, no offense to all of your realtors out there, but my experience has been that most realtors are in a similar state to a starved Lion in a beef slaughtering house--pouncing on anythihng that looks remotely good. IT WAS LIKE WE WEREN'T ALLOWED TO BE STRESSED IN THE AREA, TOO MANY BAD VIBES. :]

So this vacation I have wore flip flops (or no shoes), sat on the beach listening to the ocean while watching season 3 of the office. Can life be more complete? I submit to you that it cannot!!

I have bought 3 t-shirts and a sweater with the words "San Clemente" on them and will wear them with great pride. My primary goal in life (besides the really important stuff like being a total awesome dad) is buy property on the San Clemente/Dana Point area on the beach and retire here.

You want to talk about "Chi" & "Zen" we've got plenty out here.

Growing Up...houses, yards, jobs & kids

Well, the one thing that I have realized as we have looked at houses is that the one thing that I am totally afraid is truly growing up. I don't know how to do many things that it seems my father was innately good at like: taking care of a yard, lawn, fixing leaky faucets, general maintenance with cars and basically being what I would call a true adult. I mentioned that I didn't fee like a real adult to one of my co-workers and she quickly recanted "You own your business, have a doctorate degree, are married and have 2 kids...I'm pretty sure you are already there" (meaning I am an adult).

This was nothing short of terrifying, simply because the thought of me being an adult is pretty silly. I mean, let's face it; I would still play with transformers if A) it was socially acceptable B) I had the time and C) my best friend Dave wasn't in Idaho (cause I know he'd play with me). Of course we would have some type of smoke screen like we were playing with our kids, but I have 2 girls and he has 1 gril so we would probably get smoked out :-]


Buying a house seems like it would be "the nail in the coffin" to seal the deal that I am actually an adult. I am not sure that I can deal with truly being a responsible adult and although I am only 28 years old I can appreciate why people have mid-life crisis. I will consider this my early/transitional life crisis. Oh if only I could institute recess in the adult world where everyone is required to go outside, form a pickup game of flag football in an environment where all the toys were provided along with "the lunch lady" (Usually a giant lady that keeps the bullies away, picks you up when you fall, gets your ball if it goes over the fence and has the eyes on the back of her head so no one can get away with anything).

So I guess Kenna was right when she said that going through those model homes (see our last post for details) truly was "the beginning of the end". It would now appear that I am about to embark upon a life with more and more adult stuff: talking about life insurance, mortgages, interest rates, investing, and other things they talk about on CNN...if I have a nervous break down, don't say I didn't warn you. :]

I need a vacation and luckily we are about to take one...we are going to heaven on earth, also known as San Clemente, CA

To House or Not To House?

Well, Mike and I decided to go walking through houses to get a better idea of what we would like in a house. We planned on purchasing next summer and wanted to be prepared. That was the beginning of the end. We found it, exactly what we wanted. The question was: "do we move on it this summer or stick to the original plan?" As we started researching we came to the conclusion that we should move the time line up due to interest rates and housing prices. That is when the roller coster picked up speed.
First, we were going to build, then the lot we picked got taken, then our plan wouldn't fit on the lot, then we decided not to build. Then a new lot became available, then we found a speck home. We singed a contract and then went looking at existing homes with the Realtor. We found a house that is to die for and decided to put in an offer. Can we say A.D.D. ? We have had all sorts of ups and downs and we are sure there are more to come. We are waiting to hear on the "house to die for" before we decide to back out of the speck home. Both are great options so either way we will be happy. The saga continues!