WE TOOK A HIKE

We decide to hike the Tahquitz Canyon (Palm Springs) this morning. I took this photo on the drive there... it looks like we will drive right into the mountain.
Beautiful desert flowers were in bloom. The small visitors center sits out in the open...no sign, etc.
Here we are before the hike...it was a little cool in the shade.

We took the ranger-led interpretive hike and our guide, Mike, was very good.



Tahquitz Falls



George and Mike
We did it! It really was a fun time. I'm so glad we were able to use some of their walking sticks...they really helped us keep our balance.
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Afterwards, we went to downtown Palm Springs for lunch at Las Casuelas....great frozen margaritas and chicken fajitas. It was all wonderful. Until....

I stood up to leave. Remind me not to have margaritas after being out in the sun all morning 'cause all I wanted to do was go take a nap!


Oh.my.gosh! Just look at this bougainvillea tree I saw outside a shop in downtown Palm Springs. I wish I could grow them at home!

Hugs,
Kat

IT'S SO GOOD TO BE BACK IN CALIFORNIA

It might sound strange, but we always feel like we're coming home when we land in Palm Springs. Since we bought our timeshare about 5 years ago, we feel so comfortable coming back every March...everything is so familiar and easy. Gorgeous views as soon as you land.
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On our way to Palm Desert, our first stop was...In-N-Out. If you've never been, you have no idea what you're missing. Believe me, this won't be the only time we eat here. Don't let the low prices fool you...the food is VERY good. There is always a line out the door. So yummy!
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Here's a few photos around Shadow Ridge. We love it here.


(view from our balcony)





I'm not sure what kind of bird this is?? He/she wasn't afraid of me.

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This afternoon we took a ride over the mountains (scary winding narrow road) to Temecula.



I saw this sign in one of the stores...too funny.
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We took the highway on our way back to Palm Desert....not as pictureque, but quicker. These power windmill "thingies" always amaze us. They are e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e.

Hugs,
Kat

WE'RE SO EXCITED!

BREE AND JAY ARE ENGAGED!

OH.MY.WORD! Didn't he do good?! G-o-r-g-e-o-u-s!

Hugs,
Kat

JUST LIKE IN THE MOVIE

Well, what I feared might happen, happened! But we did okay. Thank you Lord! Just like in the movie HOME ALONE, our alarms (yep alarms with an "s", his and mine) didn't go off at 4:45am. I set both of our phone alarms, but neither one worked because for some reason (????) the phones did not spring forward at 2am. What's the deal AT&T?? Our driver to the airport was supposed to arrive at 5:30. Thank goodness George got up at 5:02 to go to the bathroom. When he came rushing into the bedroom to let me know, I sat up straight away and starting moving. Yep, just like the chaos in HOME ALONE, we were running around like "chicken with our heads cut off " and miracle of miracles, we made it! And our driver arrived on time...guess her alarm worked just fine.

I haven't had much time lately to blog, but here I sit in the Dallas airport blogging at my leisure as we wait for our next flight. So cool!

California, here we come!

Hugs,
Kat

CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME!

It's an early bedtime for us tonight since we leave for the airport at 5:30 AM!

Yikes!

Hugs,
Kat

I LOVE MY FAN

Some days this is exactly what I feel like doing!

Menopause, please, pretty please take a hike!

Hugs,
Kat

I'M PACKED

I did it! I met my goal and had our bags packed, except for the toiletries, before my Mom and Sherry arrived this afternoon. Packing for two weeks is no fun. I had to chuckle when I saw this cartoon 'cause I know I'll get "the look" from George when he loads the car and I'll hear "why do you always need to pack everything but the kitchen sink".... probably all the way to the airport. LOL
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Mom, Sherry and I spent the afternoon playing Rummikub. I made the hot Vidalia onion dip with crusty French bread to have along with our wine. So yummy! We're having fun.
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I just realized today that the time change begins this weekend. Yuck! Our flight is VERY early Sunday morning, which means it will actually be even earlier. Guess who'll be napping on the plane?

Hugs,
Kat

I NEED (WANT) THE FULL TREATMENT

Gosh, I'd love to have the full spa treatment...manicure, pedicure, facial, massage, hot wax on hands and feet, spray tan, etc., etc., etc. It's not gonna happen, but it sure was nice to get my hair cut and colored today before our trip.

It's hard to justify getting spa treatments during this crazy economic time. What's your favorite splurge? Awwww...for me, a massage sure would be nice. sigh!
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I'm determined to finish our packing tonight "come Hell or high water"! LOL
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Mom and Sherry arrive tomorrow afternoon. Can't wait. We're gonna have some fun . Guaranteed! We're gonna eat, drink and be merry while playing games...you know, our usual!

Hugs,
Kat

UDDERLY SWEET AND WONDERFUL

Bessie The Cow wants to help stop Breast (Udder) Cancer


My talented and funny friend Robin at Nothing Like It (Because most things are funnier when you flatten them...) who is a real life friend and one of the Tuesday Lunch Bunch recently did a post on her blog about how her friend Helen over at Triage From Home is doing a 3-day, 90km walk to raise money for Breast Cancer Research and that Helen had asked her artist friends to contribute something to the cause. Robin created this wonderful "Bessie the Cow" coaster as her contribution. Robin has been creating crazy polymer characters for over 5 years now and is always coming up with wild ideas for new sculptures. Everything in her shop is a “one-of-a-kind” creation and no molds are used in any of the polymer clay characters. You might remember when she did a coaster for me last August. Go by and visit Robin and I'm sure you'll find a gift idea or two.

Anyway, I decided to make a bid on Bessie to support Robin and the cause. Well, Robin's friend, Dianna, out bid me. I was disappointed, but happy that even more money was raised for such a worthy cause and I didn't think any more about it.

Well today at our Tuesday Lunch Bunch, Robin handed me a gift bag containing sweet Bessie with a note attached which read:

"In honor of your recent anniversary (3 years cancer free)...we think you MOST deserve this coaster! Dianna & Robin"

Wow!...I can't even begin to tell you how touched I was that they would do this for me!

How udderly awesome and sweet and wonderful is THAT?!

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Thank you Robin and Dianna for your very sweet gift!

Hugs,
Kat

MEN!

We're leaving on Sunday for our two week trip to California. I'm excited. I really am.

But....

It's stressful.There's all the packing to do. Of course, the stressful part is trying to decide what to pack and what you HAVE to leave behind. As I've mentioned before, I SUCK AT PACKING. I want to take it all. There's also the matter of getting everything else caught up...you know all the "stuff" that needs to be in order before you leave town. Plus, Mom and Sherry arrive on Thursday and will be staying with Miss Daisy so I really want to have everything done before they get here. I want to eat, drink and be merry...and play games, of course...so I want the packing finished before they arrive.

Deep breath....

So, I'm racing around like a chicken with my head cut off and what is George doing, you ask? He is seating on the couch watching Notre Dame. He's not stressed a bit. He's not even thinking about packing. Believe me, he will just throw some things on the bed on Saturday night in about ten minutes and he'll be done with it and I'll do my normal routine = I'll fold everything for him so I don't have to iron them later because I love him so much. And you know what? He'll have everything he needs and he'll look just great.

Me...I'll spend lots of time trying on clothes, thinking about what to take, worrying over which shoes to take and even then I'll be unhappy with what I took and wish I had taken this or that.

It's not fair! (laying on the floor, kicking my feet)

MEN!

Hugs,
Kat

SHE PUT A BIG SMILE ON MY FACE....

AND ONE IN MY HEART TOO!

Barbara at Purple Goat Lady surprised me with this absolutely gorgeous bracelet with the breast cancer symbol beads and a pretty pink heart. That she made just for me. Just because. Wow! Isn't it wonderful?! Thank you so much Barbara...for this gift, your thoughtfulness, but especially for your friendship.


THANK YOU GOD FOR

MY BLOG FRIENDS!

Hugs,
Kat

I'M SICK TO MY STOMACH

Nope, not that kind of sick.

I'm beginning to get together my clothes for our California trip (we leave in a week) and I tried on my capris tonight.

Okay....

WHO HAS BEEN IN MY CLOSET AND SHRUNK MY CLOTHES???

They fit last Summer! Sigh! Groan! Wimper! Cry!

I will NOT buy a larger size. They will fit before I leave...or...they will stay home.


Hugs,
Kat