Almost 500 miles ...

our Subaru Outback drove today. Well, Curt drove it all and I rode it.

We got home about 6. Pretty good time considering going through LA sucked and we hit some nice storm for part of the drive. Other than that no other issues.

We had a great time in San Diego. So relaxing. Just what we both needed.

Details on the rest of our trip coming ... likely tomorrow.

I am tired right now and don't feel like going into details at the moment. (I came home and did laundry, unpacked, went through the mail, paid bills, made end of the year donations, etc.)

Guest Post Tuesday

Yup, even though Go Fit Girl! is in San Diego she is still posting.

Today we have another guest post from Lisa. Lisa shares a yummy and healthy recipe with us.

If you would like to write a guest post for Go Fit Girl! let me know.

We're just three guys holding hands ...

We are having a relaxing time in San Diego.

Yesterday took it easy (today, too). Curt and I took a walk to the Sandbar for lunch and beers and football. Curt had told me before we left for San Diego that "I need to watch a lot of football on Sunday." Curt was in his fantasy football playoffs. And he won, and this was a money league. Can't wait to see what I get ...

We took advantage of the hot tub here at the hotel. Then we got ready for dinner and went to the Firehouse--which was disappointing. The food was good. But the service was OK and the ambiance sucked--esp. with the clublike music during dinner.

After dinner we hit 7 Eleven. I got a yummy coffee drink and came back to the hotel and did some book reading. Mia got me The Girls from Ames for Christmas. It is a good read. I have many thoughts about it and will share when I have finished the book. I am about half way done.

Today Curt and I went down to Ocean Beach to walk around. We went to a place called Java Jungle for a coffee. It was an outdoor coffee shop that was also a kind of garden where you could buy plants. It was a great place to soak up the sun. After that we went down to the beach. And then hit El Rodeo for fish tacos. Normally you can eat your tacos while listening to the sound of the tattoo needle upstairs. But there was a remodel going on. So after we got our tacos we went to the beach and ate our tacos.

While walking around OB I overheard a guy behind us say, we're just three guys (or dudes) holding hands. I looked behind me and two guys were holding hands with a little boy. I thought that was pretty cute.

After that we came back to Pacific Beach (where we are staying). We headed to a bar called Lahaina Beach House for some beers and a nice view. Eventually we wandered back closer to our hotel and hit the PB Shore Club for a beer and calamari.

Then back to the hotel for a nap. Eventually we got ready for dinner and headed to the Gaslamp district. We found a nice restaurant called Blue Point. The food was so good. Man, the lobster bisque was amazing.

We came back to our hotel and stopped at the PB Alehouse to watch some football and have a nightcap (aka beer).

Now we are back at the hotel. I am ready to do some more reading and watch some Mythbusters.

Sun, sand and surf (maybe)

Curt and I had a nice Christmas Day. Had tamales about noon. About 5:30 had enchiladas, rice and beans.

During the day just lounged and watched some TV. I also finished my annual holiday read, The Stupidest Angel. And talked with our families, including our niece and nephews.

In the evening we opened the gifts under the tree. (We did stockings Christmas Eve.)

Then I watched (500) Days of Summer. Let's just say I am not a fan of Summer. Poor Tom. He is so cute--how can anyone not love him? It was a good movie. But it didn't really make me feel good. It sucks having your heart broken. I feel lucky that I haven't had to deal with those type of feelings in more than 10 years.

This morning we got on the road a little before 10 and by 6 p.m. we were in San Diego. We are staying on Pacific Beach. Even though it is dark our hotel looks to be at a good location. We are facing the ocean. We are right near a couple of restaurants.

We had dinner and beer tonight at Pacific Beach Alehouse.

I am looking forward to a few days of relaxation. It's only a little after 8, but I am tired and ready for some lounging time. Hope to get some reading in. (Got a couple of books for Christmas.) Oh, and our hotel room has Lifetime! YEA!!!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays from Prague, Maui and Munich (Oktoberfest)!

We had a nice loungy Christmas Eve. Had our shrimp, baked potatoes and biscuits for dinner. Also opened up a bottle of yummy Lambrusco wine (red, sparkling cold wine) last night. (Curt had beer.)

Curt and I watched some A Christmas Story and some other stuff. We opened up Christmas crackers. And then our stockings. We have a few gifts to open this morning.

As I am typing this I have the Muppet Christmas movie on. I don't think I have ever seen this before.

Sometime this morning we will have tamales. Then open the rest of our gifts. Later today I will make enchiladas, rice and beans. Yum!

Today is going to be a loungy kind of day.

Meowy Christmas from Joey!

(Joey also blogged this morning. Check it out.)

A little known Christmas story

When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure.

Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.
When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.
Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.
Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drunk all the cider and hidden the liquor. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.
Just then the doorbell rang, and an irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.
The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?'
And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.
Not a lot of people know this.

***************

Curt is working a half day today. I have today off. And then we are both off work until January 4. We are having a low-key Christmas Eve and Day and on the 26th we are off to San Diego for a few days of relaxation.

This evening Curt and I will have shrimp (Poff family tradition) and a few other yummy items and open our gifts. We went very minimal this year. Curt and I just did stocking stuffers for each other.

Tomorrow tamales for breakfast (my family tradition and every other Mexican family tradition). I am sure we will talk to our families. I am gonna make enchiladas, rice and beans. We are just gonna hang out, relax and pack for our trip.

This is a picture I took with my phone. This is my little holiday display at work.

Guest Post Tuesday

Lisa wrote an awesome holiday post today for Guest Post Tuesday on Go Fit Girl!
Check it out!

I have nothing ...

to knit, wrap, package, etc. I got home from work about 6:30 tonight.

I am not sure if I know what to do with myself.

I can read more of my fave holiday read, The Stupidest Angel. Good stuff!

What I did do is finally upload and post pics from last weekend:

Alison and Marshall's wedding photos

Other Tucson photos

Quick Tucson weekend recap:

Got in Friday night and headed to the Arizona Inn to unwind and relax. We had planned to hit the Buffet. But we got in a little later than expected and were tired. And after spending almost 22 bucks at the San Diego airport for two drinks ...

Saturday morning Curt and I headed to brunch at the Arizona Inn. It was about 10:40 or so and no one else was out there. We had a nice meal and relaxed and had some good coffee. Then back to the room. I got ready for the pool and Curt took off to run an errand. For about an hour I was the only one lounging at the pool.

A little after 2 I went back to the room to get ready for the wedding.

Ali and Marsh got married at Corona Ranch near Sabino Canyon. Absolutely gorgeous setting. The ceremony was short and sweet. I barely had time to cry.

The food was amazing. I am not sure which I liked best, the tamales or the tortillas. I loved the tortillas so much that I swiped two. Even after being in my purse and a few days old they were still delish when I made Curt and myself cheese crisps Wednesday night.

We gave my grandpa his Christmas present at the wedding: a can of Budvar all the way from Prague. He carried that thing around like it was his baby. It was quite entertaining. Thanks to Curt for bringing all the way back from Prague. We bought two cans. But only one came back to the States.

Wedding was a great party.

Sunday another yummy brunch. Then we headed to Eegee's so I could get my strawberry drink. Then on to Mom's to visit with Grandma and also Uncle Mike and Francine and Frank. It was a nice visit with everyone and then off to the airport. Curt and I volunteered to bump to a later flight for some pretty sweet vouchers. And, of course, we are already planning on how to spend them.

Life's too short

This is my new motto.

(I have had this attitude for some time when it comes to saving money. I would much rather spend it on traveling.)

But recent events have lead me to realize that working 10-12 hour days just isn't worth it. I don't get paid OT. I haven't been hitting the gym as often as I would like. I am eating horribly. I am feeling exhausted.

I mean yes, I have a lot of work to do. But somehow things will just have to get figured out in 8-9 hours a day.

OK, I am going to work on me stuff by reading some of my fave holiday read, The Stupidest Angel; drink some eggnog laced with rum and nutmeg; and watch some holiday movies on Lifetime.

Happy birthday Mama!

Eight days till Christmas means ... the best mom in the whole wide wolad (world) is having a birthday.

And next year for her big birthday we are whisking her off to Paris (also London and a visit to Amsterdam, too).

If she wasn't my mom I would want her as my friend.

Happy birthday Mama!

Last of the Christmas packages went out today

Whew!

The last of the packages went out a little later than I would have liked. But we were out of town over the weekend. So that threw me off a little.

Most Christmas presents were purchased this year, but a few were made, including my Kris Kringle gift--party is tomorrow. Because I wasn't stressed out enough I made some Christmas gifts, I ran the food drive and am still running the toy drive at work. I collected money for the toy drive and went shopping this morning. I am also in charge of the Kris Kringle gift exchange at work--and I made part of that gift. Also for the party tomorrow I made a cheeseball and salsa.

Plus this work thing that gets in the way of life ...

But I think my stress level will start going down a little at this point.

Now it will just mostly be work keeping me busy for the next week. One week left and the 2009 work year will be over.

I got home before 7 tonight. I can't believe how much I got done tonight and didn't have to rush around like a crazy person.

I gotta pay a couple of bills and then I will have another glass of wine and relax before bed.

Good night.

Oh, weekend update coming soon with pictures, too.

The giving season

There was an article in the New York Times today titled To Feed the Hungry, Keep the Can, Open a Wallet.

My mom volunteers at the Tucson food bank and she has said that money goes a longer way compared to a can or box of food.

I have mixed feelings on this subject. I run the food drive at work and I have to say it is much easier to get people to give food than money. I also run the toy drive and I find it easier to get people to donate money (I go out and buy toys with the donated money) than donate toys. (Though this year people are really stepping up and the bins are filling up with toys.)

When the organization came to pick up the food they were so happy at the amount of food that was in the bins and said it would help a lot of people. But maybe I should ask the director which they prefer, food or money.

Though people do throw food into the bins that no one wants. (And I was annoyed to find that someone had thrown in votive candles into the food bin this year.) When I buy food for the drive I think about what people would want. I buy cake mixes, stuffing, tuna, beans, rice, etc. I also take the time to go through my pantry clean it out, throw things out and maybe find a box of cornbread that we haven't used, but someone else could and it isn't expired.

I am a big believer in also donating to charity. A big one for me is the food bank. My mom has volunteered at the food bank for many, many years. Before she was retired she would take vacation time to go to the food bank for 4 hours a week. As a kid after church on some Sundays we would make brown bag lunches for Casa Maria--soup kitchen. And my mom now volunteers there, too.

Sometimes we don't have the time to donate actual time. But in this holiday season think about someone who is less fortunate than you. How can you help them? Donate a toy, pick an angel form the tree at the mall, donate food or money to the food bank, adopt a family. Just a little something will make you feel good and somebody else, too.

So sick of the greed fest

I do enjoy this time of year. I didn't used to. I worked retail for many years. (Believe it or not, but pet owners wait to buy things for their pets until Christmas Eve, too.) Then I was in the news business where news happens every day and a newpaper comes out 24/7.
Whether you believe in Christ or not I think we can all agree that Christmas is a time to give and appreciate the people in your life, family, friends, co-workers, etc.
I do enjoy giving gifts. Lately in my family we have decided to either not give gifts or give money to charity. But the kids still get gifts. I personally would rather give money or toys or whatever to someone or an organization that really needs it. If I want a new sweater or shoes I can get them myself.
But I am very careful and selective with the gifts for kids. Most of the kids we know are fairly fortunate. So pretty much no toys these days. Books, gift certificates for books, etc. (I do make a few knitted items--but am scaling back on that, too.)
Each year Curt and I scale back. This year we are just doing stocking stuffers.
I hate what a greed fest this time of year can be. There is an irritating Wal-Mart commercial (I realize there is more than one) that just drives me nuts. This little boy lists everything he wants, day and night. (I tried to find the commercial online and couldn't.) I just find it disgusting. Tell that kid he gets a few things and then let's give some toys to kids who aren't as fortunate and can't afford to shop even at Wal-Mart.

Ice Ice Baby!

So the weather has turned rather cold in the Bay Area.
I actually had to use my ice scrapper, which Ed gave me years ago, this morning. Damn! It was cold out there. I am not suited for this kind of weather.
Some areas even got snow.
So thanks Ed. Otherwise I would have had to use my Southwest Visa or Safeway card to clear my windows.

Oh, and the font on my post from yesterday is all funky. I can't figure out what this font is.

Busy, busy, busy

I know I have been a major blogging slacker. Sorry!

Work has been so busy I come home exhausted. Haven't I been saying this for months now? Well, it is getting even crazier.

And because I like to stress myself out I have a ton of stuff to do around the house and at work. So there is little relax time.

Anyway, it was a great, yet busy weekend. Friday after work I hit yoga and then home to prepare for the 4th annual Cheesemas celebration, which Curt and I hosted Saturday night.

Saturday I hit the gym in the morning. Then home to prepare for our party. Busy cleaning, doing laundry, setting up, buying cheese, etc.

People starting showing up a little after 6 p.m. I made a cheeseball. Curt and I also had 4 kinds of cheese--Spanish, Carmody, Wensleydale and something else. I am blanking. We had more cheese, salami a

nd wine and apples with caramel dip, pumpkin cheesecake, yummy Trader Joe's treats, etc.

There were 12 of us total and we polished off six bottles of wine (and I know not everyone was drinking wine). We had lots of good eats.

We started off with drinks and eats. Then we watched Creature Comforts--classic! Here is a little clip. Then Malcolm provided us with a trailer of a possible contender for Cheesemas 2010.

Then the featured presentation: The Christmas Shoes starting Rob Lowe and Kimberly Williams (before she was -Paisley). In this link you will see the video for the song that inspired the book that inspiredthe movie or something like that. It is a horribly bad made movie. So Cheesemas = eating cheese and watching cheesy holiday movies. Or as Lisa says, It isn't Christmas until Rob Lowe learns the meaning of Christmas.

Also part of Cheesemas is making inappropriate commentary at the movie. There is some great stuff said. LOVE it!

After the Rob Lowe movie some people took off. Then the real troopers stayed for the second movie, Single Santa seeks Mrs. Claus. I pretty much zonked out during that movie. Some booze, being tired from work, not having my Saturday nap after my 2-hour workout caught up with me.

Sunday I caught up on shows from the DVR. Some were a week old or more! Then I went to the dreaded grocery. I had lots of things to do with Christmas gifts: wrapping, packaging, knitting, etc. Lots of stuff to do!

And that was my weekend. Hopefully I will have an exciting update this week. Curt and I are heading to Tucson on Friday for my cousin Alison's wedding on Saturday. I am looking forward to seeing some family, hanging out at the Arizona Inn and just relaxing for the weekend. Oh, and wearing my pretty blue shoes to the wedding.

Chihak Poff/Poff Christmas tree

Click here for video of us showing off some of our ornaments on our Christmas tree. The picture above is our tree taken on my iPhone.