Hope

"Hope is a waking dream."

- Aristotle

Only a Day Late

Things for which I'm thankful...

• My husband & best friend, my roommate & lover
• My family
• My friends... those that allow me to lean
• My mutter dogs
• My home
• Getting to see my nephews and niece twice in one week!!
• Getting to FINALLY end the torture that was job hunting
• The Beatles... Specifically George for conceptualizing LOVE. And my parents for gifting me such an amazing experience
• The migrating butterflies that I saw last Sunday
• For 2008 almost being over
• For the talk I had last night with my wiser, older bro... For his insight
• My neighbors, because they're pretty cool
• My idealism
• For second chances...

Butterflies and Sand Dunes

This was the only grounded butterfly that I spotted.... Well, that Matt spotted...

And this was the only airborn butterfly my camera actually caught

Our little campground with our big, tough guard dogs

Scenic

Trail to the beach

Wynn leading the way

Bliss

King of the mountain

Over Roughing It

Today was supposed to be our last day camping. And actually, the rain held out longer than we had anticipated. But after breakfast yesterday, using our not-so-roughing-it devices, we observed a very large thunder storm headed our way. We lasted until about 3pm in our tent, in the rain before deciding to pack up and head to, if not a drier place, a place that could keep us drier and keep our dogs from looking at us like they were strapped in constant torture devices.

The trip, while it lasted, was really nice. I feel like we're professional campers now. We had gourmet dinners and a warm bed. It helps that the camp site was all-inclusive. Picnic bench, fire pit, water spout... Lap of luxury, I'm telling you.

The dunes and the beach were gorgeous. Wynnie got her first ocean experience, and she was thrilled, to say the least. Thel, being the old bitty that she is, was content to hang out with us on the wet sand.

...Amongst other things... One of the highlights? ...I did see some monarch butterflies! Do I have to convince you of how excited I was?? Though they weren't in the swarming masses as I had imagined.......

...Pictures to follow...

Pismo or Bust

From noon on, we've been shopping and packing for our triiip to Pismo. I really wish I could say that we're done. ...The plan is a three night stay in the dunes... Not a lot a time, right? However, we have somehow managed to tetris-like pack Matt's Grand Cherokee to the point where I'm surprised I have room to fit. Or the mutts for that matter. I'm considering ear plugs for all the whining we'll be enduring.

Weather.com originally threw our hopes with a puffy clouds and sunshine forecast, but has recently withdrawn its estimation and replaced it with a cloudy Monday and possible showery Tuesday and Wednesday.

I suppose you can't have two great trips within the time span of one week.

Maybe monarch butterflies like the rain.

More Mania

Wish I could have taken this wall home with me...

Loved Me Some LOVE

This show was EVERYTHING I could have dreamt up and more. In fact, I cried through the first three songs. Yep. Tears streaming. ....I am not proud. But it was an emotional experience! Especially when they start with the acapella "Because the world is round......" - I didn't stand a chance. .....Our seats were amazing. At one point they covered us in a gigantic white sheet! ...Thinking about it, I suppose that's a little hard to imagine. But confetti! And dismantled vw bugs! And disappearing stages! And Lucy in the sky! .....This show hit all your senses! I believe they were even burning incense! ... And, well... I of course, had my rum and coke.

Can you see me?

A little camera play

So, outside of the show, we managed to stay up until 4am both nights. Not too much gambling... Lots of video poker. After LOVE, we trekked from the Wynn to Excalibur. Yep, we had to cab it back.

I'd say Matt and I made the most of our Vegas get away. And are now paying dearly, but happily, for it.

VEGAS OR BUST!

So this morning we're hopping our flight to Vegas...

The debauchery begins at approximately 3pm, when our plane lands... We have the rest of that day to hit the penny slots (what? I haven't started work yet) and enjoy some video poker. We haven't been there in about two years, so there's some exploring of the strip yet to do...

Thursday may bring on some sun worship poolside, if the weather permits... More gambling (ie more drinking)... a nice dinner... AND THEN....... LOVE starts at 10pm.

I have been whining to see this show since I heard that it was even be a possibility... I think I read a small article about it in some random magazine, and from that point... It was ON. ...The idea originally transpired between George Harrison and one of the Cirque du Soleil founders, Guy Laliberte, and quickly received the remaining Beatles' approval (even Yoko's!). Six years later... Tickets were on sale.

It's been around for two years and needless to say, my parents are making one of my life dreams come true. I'm not exaggerating here. A life dream.

...Ummm.... Have I mentioned that I'm a Beatles Freak?

VIVA LAS VEGAS, PEOPLE!

...Back to the real world on Friday.