It's in the journey...

(The magnificent Golden Gate and I, Marin Headlands)

Welcome one and all while I regale you with tales of our harrowing journey East, South and West! While we enjoyed seeing each and every one of you, there was nothing like pulling up in front of our place and realizing we would sleep in our own bed once again.

Wednesday, December 20- We dropped Maddy off at Fortuna Animal Medical Clinic and headed south toward San Francisco (never, EVER call it Frisco or San Fran- the locals hate that. You must always call it San Francisco or "The City"... when in Rome...). We arrived close to 2:30 and it was a beautiful day, as you can see from the photos. It was a bit chilly, but the sun was out! We headed down to Ghiradelli Square (near Fisherman's Wharf) to get some real chocolate from the actual factory! We then strolled down the hill to the cross of Powell and Hyde Street, where the Powell/Hyde Cable Car runs. Since we rode this during our trip to the city three years ago, we nixed any plans of making the run again, and headed down to Pier 45.

(The view up Hyde Street)

The Musee Mechanique resides at Pier 45, along with all things touristy- this is where the famed Fisherman's Wharf sign is perched. The Musee is a warehouse chock full of turn of the century arcade games, all only costing 25 cents. We got some change and spent a good 20 minutes taking in all the sights and sounds. After this, we walked back to the car, and headed through North Beach toward Chinatown, where the famed City Lights Bookstore lies on the thin line between the two neighborhoods. We browsed around a bit, heading up to the third floor where you find nothing but Beat Lit. We then headed through the city and up California, one of the steepest hills in town. While driving Blu, my stick-shift Hyundai Elantra, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. But a little experimenting and I was doing great in no time. We headed down through the city toward the Mission district, where we had dinner at the Zagat rated Dusit, a thai restaurant. Fabulous food and great service for a very inexpensive price. No wonder they're Zagat rated!! While driving through town, I realized that there is something about this city that is magical. This was the third time I've been, and every time I visit, I feel like I'm home. Like I belong there. There is an energy to the place like no other. I never felt like this in New York or Chicago, but the city always makes me feel as if it's my kind of town. Tony Bennett was right... you will definately leave your heart there.

Thursday, December 21- We flew out of Oakland at 7:30am (yikes!) and arrived at John Wayne/Orange County airport a fast hour later. Due to the awful weather in Denver, many flights to all other airports in the country were delayed or re-routed. Our 12:15 flight to O'Hare was delayed to 2:15, then to 3. We finally left the OC at 5, arriving at O'Hare at 10:15pm, 4 hours later than expected. However, when we picked up our "Economy" car at Budget, they had upgraded us to a Jeep Liberty 4x4 for free- sweet! We swung by Terminal 1 and picked up my girlfriend Ann, and were on our way home. Driving through the thick fog put us in Moline, IL at 3am. Ugh.

Friday, December 22- Awoke to see my Mom resting comfortably in her recliner after her knee surgery a week earlier. We had coffee, chatted and then I got ready for my lunch date with Les. I swung by her house to visit with her beau Corey and their two Labs, Gracie and Booda. Les and I went to this fantastic mediteranean restaurant called The Phoenician- fabulous hummus, tabuolleh (did I spell that right?) and falafel. I was so excited to see such a great restaurant finding it's place in humble little Davenport, Iowa. Afterward, Rob and I joined Bert (my stepdad) at Moline Orthapedic while Mom worked her ass off at PT. The four of us then paid our respects at Ann's moms visitation, ending the evening with a Vanderaisin sandwich at The Belgium Village (a Quad City institution!!!).

Saturday, December 23- What a great day, spending it with both family and friends! We met our friends Kalyca and Wade at Happy Joes Pizza (another QC favorite). The last time we saw them was in March, and Kal was 7 months pregnant with their beautiful baby, Alexa. Rob kept their 6-year-old Cacie busy in the arcade while we chatted about all kinds of interesting things. We enjoyed a nice long lunch with all of them.

(Wade and Alexa)
(Cacie)

Sunday, December 24- It was a pretty busy day for all, while Rob and I visited the grave of my Grandma and Grandpa Bedford (my dad's parents) before heading over to my mom's parents and Bert's parents for a visit before heading back to Mom and Bert's for tapas and drinks. We all got buzzed on wine/beer and sat talking late into the night. It was a blast!

Monday, December 25- Ah the Christmas Day Orgy... the morning was spent opening gifts with Mom and Bert, then enjoying a huge breakfast of eggs and bacon before heading off to the Elfline's for Christmas number 2. We all ate way too much of everything, then Rob and I were forced to sing a number for everyone. I was slightly drunk, which of course made me sound fabulous, then we all had some of Ross' (Rob's brother) caramel shortbread tart- so good! We ended the night by playing Trivial Pursuit-Totally 80's.

Tuesday, December 26- This was our last day in the QC, and we had to do a few quintessential QC things before departing. We first headed to Arthur's Garden Deli for a sandwich, picked up some groceries at Hy-Vee, then made a fab soup for Mom and Bert before ending the evening with Whitey's Ice Cream. And yes, my intestine is still reeling from all the food over the break!

Wednesday, December 27- Time to head to Cincinnati!! We loaded up the Jeep and headed East to see all our friends! But first, a stop in to see Nikki at Vintage Salon- the girl knows how to cut hair! Since my hair was so rudely butchered back in October, Nikki set me right and now, I have a fabulous head of hair. We then made it over to Charlie's house, got ourselves beautiful, and met everyone over at Hofbrauhaus in Newport, KY. We all ate, drank and were Mary... I mean, Merry! (Mark, Melissa and B)

Next, we all headed over to Union Station for some Karaoke. While it was definately no Mary's, we still had a pretty bitchin' time. We even had the rare glimpse of Boy George, who serenaded us with Karma Chameleon!

(Chuck and me)
(Chuck, Charlie and Mel)

Thursday, December 28- The next morning, we met one of my mini-diva's Jessica and her mom, Diane at Mokka, the best little brunch place in Greater Cincinnati. We had a lovely time chatting over breakfast before taking off to Chicago.

(Diane, Jess and me)

We made good time into Chicago during rush hour, and finally got to the Hyatt, our home away from home before our flight out of O'Hare the next morning. We treated ourselves to real Chicago-style stuffed pizza at Giordano's (it's no Gino's or Lou Malnati's, but it was good) and hit the sack.

Friday, December 29- We flew out of O'Hare at 11am and made it to Dallas/Ft. Worth around 1:30. We ran our fannies from A to D terminals to find our flight to Orange County had been cancelled. When we arrived at DFW, the weather was slightly rainy. But by 4pm, it was pouring, hailing, along with tornado sightings!! At one point, we had to evacuate away from all windows due to tornados and high winds. Being the smart girl I am, I called American Airlines and changed our flight to leave on Sunday, and lucky us, my Dad (who lives in the Ft. Worth area) picked us up 20 mins. later! We were really quite happy we were able to see my Dad and step-mom Cathy over the holiday, as if it weren't for the nasty weather, we would have just flown out of DFW and never see them!! We were thinking the fates just knew we needed to see each other, and made it possible. We all had a nice meal out, then relaxed and watched tv before hitting the sack.

Saturday, December 30- When my Dad bought his house 10 years ago, Cathy couldn't understand how or why he wanted to. She loves to tell the story of when they went to look at the house, how a mouse ran across the floor in front of them. And all Dad could say was "Just think of what this house could be, Cathy?" Boy was he right. It's been 5 years since our last visit to Texas, and there have been some major renovations since then. A great room has been added with a wall of windows that looks onto the in-ground pool, barn and acreage. Dad also put in a humongous master suite/bath that is about as big as our apartment. They aren't quite done, but it already looks beautiful!
One of the best parts about visiting is all the animals on the property. Dad and Cathy own three dogs and two horses. Max, the long-haired Doberman mutt; Maggie the aging Golden Retriever; and Hanna, the skittish German Shepard beauty. And let's not forget the horses, Gummi and Rocky.

(Max)

(Rob and Maggie)
(Cathy and Hanna)
(Gummi)

Whenever we are visiting Texas, there is usually only one request... we have to eat at Babe's. What is Babe's, you ask? Only the finest Chicken Fried meat in this here 48 continental United States. Babe's is located in teeny tiny Roanoke, Texas, a mere 20 minutes north of Dad's house. Upon driving down the street, it looks like a scene out of To Kill a Mockingbird. Babe's is in the middle of the block on a gravel road, and looks like a mecca of neon and fried-worshipping congregations of people. Folks drive miles upon miles to feast upon Babe's, and will wait upwards of 2 hours just to get in the door. When we gave them our name, we were quoted a 90 minute wait. You gotta know that if people are waiting that long to eat at your restaurant, you are sitting upon a gold mine.

(Dad, me and Rob, awaiting all that fried goodness)

(One of my favorite signs inside Babe's)

Upon sitting down, the waitress takes your drink order and asks you if you want Chicken Fried Chicken or Chicken Fried Steak- you only have two choices at Babe's. Babe's is family-style, so when the food arrives, it's comes with plenty of helpings of mashed taters and gravy, biscuits, creamed corn and a platter of chicken or steak (I always get the chicken!), with seconds and thirds not far behind.

(My plate, right before the orgy of food)
(Rob and I- look at that platter of chicken to share just between the two of us!)

We ended the night with Dad and Cathy on the couch, watching Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Sunday, December 31- Finally, time to come home. Dad dropped us off at 8am, and we boarded our flight to Oakland shortly after. We had a beautiful flight home, flying over the Colorado River Valley and the Grand Canyon. I've never seen it before, and seeing it from thousands of feet in the air was breathtaking. Here is a shot I got from the plane. We arrive in Oakland at 11:30am to find American Airlines had lost our bags (they have since been found and are on the way to us via FedEx). After all is said and done, we are happy to be home, to sleep in our own bed, and to pick up Maddy on Tuesday- I miss my girl!!

Short and sweet....

Hello dearies-

Here is the scoop...

We flew out of O'Hare this morning, arrived in Dallas/Ft. Worth on time. Due to tornados and additional nasty weather, close to 200 flights were cancelled out of DFW. Since I'm that cool, I called my Dad and Cathy, who live here in Texas, and within 30 minutes, Dad had picked us up. We rescheduled to leave DFW on Sunday morning direct to Oakland (no connectors! Wahoo!), so Rob and I get to spend a day with Dad and Cathy! The fates decided to strand us in a town with one of my closest relatives... too weird.

We had a lovely time visiting with everyone over the vacation, especially all our dear friends in the Nati.

Pics to come when we return home to CA on Sunday.

Week in Review

Okay, so I totally meant to post over the weekend. However, the Mother of All Head Colds possessed my body last week and she is still hanging around. I have pretty much exorcised her out, but I still have a little stuffiness clogging my sinuses. Try singing with that BS. It really sucks. Rob has caught it as well, but doesn't seem to be as miserable as I. My worst fear is that she will continue to hang around during our flight home on Thursday. There is nothing worse than flying with a head cold.

Tomorrow, we leave for a day of fun in San Francisco. I am so throughly jazzed to spend a day there. We are going to hit a few of the places we missed during our honeymoon due to Rob's bout with the stomach flu. I plan to post over the holidays, so look for fun pics of our day in the city.

My mom had her knee surgery last Friday, and is doing smashingly. She continues to go to physical therapy a few times a week, and is in good spirits. I am excited to see her and all my family again.

The sad news is that my dear friend Ann's mom has passed. She suffered from MS for the better part of the last ten years, and she slipped away last night. Our thoughts are with Ann and her family during this time.

Top 14 Christmas...

So it's 11:10pm on a Friday here in California, and I can't sleep. Maybe it's all the cold medicine I'm hopped up on, or the fact I haven't posted on my blog in almost a week. I guess I have a lot on my mind, so what better than put down my Top 14 things I love about Christmas.

1. Puppy Chow- ah yes, that Crispix-covered-in-chocolate-peanut-butter-powdered-sugar deliciousness we only seem to eat during the holidays. Man that stuff is good.

2. It's a Wonderful Life- Just one of the many holiday movies we watch every year around this time. Gorgeous Donna Reed, charismatic Jimmy Stewart, and that sexy scene between the two of them (that supposedly they shot in one take) while Mary chats to her boyfriend over the phone and George listens in. Maybe it's a fluff holiday piece, but I don't care. Jimmy Stewart is amazing in that movie. Plus it takes place in 'Bedford Falls'. Bedford is my maiden name.

3. Wrapping presents- I love the feel of crisp wrapping paper between my fingers. The velvety feel of scotch tape, the metallic shine of curling ribbon. There is a nostalgia to it I can't quite describe.

4. My mom's house- I have so many vivid memories of Christmas at my Mom and Bert's house. They have lived in the same place for 18 years, and I feel I did most of my growing up there. I have so many cherished memories of Christmas' past. Watching my mom assemble her Department 56 houses into a village, and watching it grow every year. The pine garland winding down the staircase railing. Listening (with disdain) every year for 20 years to A Kenny and Dolly Christmas on cassette (she finally broke down and bought the CD a year or so ago). Lastly, my sophomore year of high school is what clearly comes to mind. This was the year Les and I became friends, and we shared so many laughs and embarassments together that year. (Hey Les- ORNAMENT!)

5. Elf- Both the movie and the soundtrack just put me in a happy mood. We all know what a comedic genius Will Farrell is, but he really shines in this sweet movie about a human, mistaken for an Elf from birth, leaves the North Pole to find his father in New York City. Along the way he meets and falls in love with Jovie (played by Zooey Deschanel), eats spaghetti and saves Christmas. The soundtrack features some great tunes by Louie Prima, Leon Redbone, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ms. Deschanel herself, whose voice sweetly channels Brenda Lee.

6. My Grandma Ellis' house- Every year since birth, we spend Christmas Eve at my Mom's moms house, my Grandma and Grandpa Ellis. Bob and Geraldine (my grandparents) have been hosting the event for as long as I can remember. My mom is the youngest of five children, and when you get all of those Irish catholic drunks in the house, things begin to get a little sticky. Each year, we all arrive in the afternoon, eat salty peanuts and cashews and awkwardly converse with family members we see only over the holiday. We anxiously await the arrival of notoriously late family Aunt Roberta and Uncle Bill from Rockford, IL, and my Aunt Evie and Uncle Dick, who live in the same town as Grandma and Grandpa... yet they are always the last to arrive. Grandma, who is nearly 90 years old, broke a hip a few years ago, and barely weighs 85 pounds soaking wet, mumbles the Lord's Prayer, and we all dig into the food. The past few years, it's just been tapas and finger foods, as the g-parents are getting old and hate the hassle. Little do they know it's probably just as much hassle as if they made their usual ham. We eat, the mood gets a little more relaxed. Uncle Dick and Uncle John (who only comes every few years from Detroit) spike their drinks with whiskey, the stoners of the fam go out onto the porch and smoke a joint, and Uncle Dick starts to fart, or starts talking about farting. That's when you know it's time to open gifts. The gift exchange between the adults has long since died, and now we all just sit around and my watch my cousin's kids open presents. When my mother has stripped down to her tank top and starts swearing about how "f-ing hot it is in here!", that's our cue to leave. Despite all the strangeness, I look forward to it every year. It never changes, and that's why I love it.

7. Cuddle time- Rob and I have a tradition. Near the end of a long day, we will put on one of our many Christmas CD's and curl up together on the couch. More oft than not, we will fall asleep in the warmth of our embrace, then whine and crab when one or the other of us wakes and suggests we go to bed and sleep. But it's our little thing. It brings us close to each other.

8. A Christmas Story- Who doesn't love this classic holiday movie? My favorite scenes are everywhere, from the tongue stuck to the flagpole, to the Electric Leg in the window, to the last scene of the four of them eating Chinese food on Christmas Eve, all the while serenaded by four Chinese guys singing "Deck the Hars with bars of horry- fa ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra".

9. Chex Mix- why do we only make Chex Mix at Christmas? It's so damn good.

10. Getting drunk with my stepdad- Christmas is a time for drinking a lot of beer with Bert, and I have fond memories of the first Christmas I was legal to drink. Lou, Bert and I got wasted at Grandma Thomas' (Bert's parents) house. Good times.

11. Scrooged- Bill Murray is a gem in this movie. It is so 80's, right down to Mary Lou Retton playing Tiny Tim, to the Solid Gold Dancers in their last appearance before Solid Gold was cancelled. Plus David Johansen (Buster Poindexter) is perfect as the taxi driver/Ghost of Christmas Past from Brooklyn. And I'm a sucker for that adorable kid at the end who says "God Bless us, everyone". Takes my damn breath away every time.

12. Christmas at the Elfline's- Much like Christmas Eve at my Grandma's, there is a tradition of Christmas with Rob's folks. Most years, whist living in Cincinnati, we would stay with Rob's parents over the holiday. This year we are staying with mine. But I'm sure the tradition of orange rolls and weak coffee will continue on without us this year. Presents are opened, youngest to oldest (which meant I was always first), then we would all sit around and play with our gifts until it was time to shower and get ourselves ready for the Christmas orgy that would soon take place. Uncle Drake and Aunt Jan, displaced from the 60's, arrive pretty stoned, eating everything in sight and talking to us about organic farming. Aunt Gay (I'm not kidding, that is seriously her name) arrives soon after, bearing some really disgusting gelatin mold (one year, it had horseradish in it???) and bringing 96 year old Grandma with her. Grandma is fun, and usually begins talking at random to anyone who will listen, and won't make a point. Dinner soon follows, with crown roast of pork and a standard English menu follows= bland food. Then it's onto the presents once again. After a plethora of gifts and dessert, it's time to sit in front of the fire or tv and have a major sugar crash.

13. Christmas Morning- I used to wake at 6:30am on the dot every Christmas when I was a kid. Even up through college I would. Now, I'm pretty much into sleeping in on the big day. But man, I can remember those mornings. Mom and Bert would leave the lights burning on the tree all night long. I'd wake up, run into the living room and just sit there, taking in the sight of all those gifts under the tree, the twinkling of the lights and the tinsel. It was so beautiful.

14. Gremlins- This movie is why Bert had to sleep in the hallway when I was a young girl. Scared the bejesus out of me. Go see my friend Zach's blog, star of this infamous freakin' scary holiday movie.

There is only one thing I'd like to add to this list, and that would be spending a Christmas with my Dad and Cathy. Because they live in Texas, it's hard for both them to come up and for us to go down. I'm hoping one of these years we are able to make it down to spend the holiday with them.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Week in Review

I think Week in Review more suits my grown-up tastes, these days. From now on, it's Week in Review, and no longer Weekly Update.

Work- I had a bit of an emotional breakdown this week. I won't bore you with the details of all the drama at Kidsclub but to tell you that I'm surely quitting now. The closer I get to leaving this place, the more I just want out. I'm struggling with trying to decide which is going to make me happier- a full-time job making more money than my two jobs put together, or trying to find a replacement for Kidsclub that allows me to keep my finances, and sanity, in tact. The problem with a full-time job for me at this point is the only thing I'm apt to find here in this poverty-stricken town is a secretarial desk-job. Now I've done the desk-job thing. It just isn't for me. I get bored too easily, and sitting for long amounts of time is the bane of my existence. Or I could try to find a full-time gig that allows me to work with children, which is truly a passion of mine. But I've also done the day-care job for children under two- this is why I only teach parent-child classes that last 45 minutes. Being with them all day long is exhausting, and I'm not quite ready to spend 24/7 with a child just yet... So I'm stuck. Which led me to my emotional upheaval on Thursday. Rob held me and told me I have all the choices and freedom in the world, I just don't know it. I'm not sure I agree with him. If... no, when, we leave this place, I want us to have a stockpile of cash so when we do get the F out of here, we are set until Rob starts bringing in the money, and I, ultimately, go back to school. Which leads me to...

Applying for schools- Rob found out just this past week he has made the first cut for the Augustana job. For those of you who don't remember, Augustana College is in the heart of our hometown, Rock Island, Illinois. They started a search for an assistant prof. last year, but some things fell through. Rob made the first cut then, and we were both pretty devestated when they called off the job search. However, they put the search out again just about a month ago for fall, 2007. Rob sent in his materials, with a little blurb about how we are from there and would "jump at the chance to return home". They sent him a letter this past week, requesting his recordings. He is hard at work in the recording studio as I type, getting it mixed and ready to send off on Monday. They are in a hurry to find someone for next fall, and requested the recording be there by next Friday!! We are quite excited, and hoping he gets the interview! Because of this, I'm ready to start applying to schools. We've heard back from a few, but my first choice would be the MFA program in Directing at the University of Iowa. Of course, I'd have to commute for classes, but Les did it, and in May, she graduates Dr. Lesley Coussens, with a phat job as a pharmacist. Ask her about her offer from Osco... ka-ching!! If we do end up moving home, this would be the ideal place for me to study. If not, Western Illinois also has a pretty comprehensive program. Both schools would be about an hour drive each way. But so worth it!

Coming home- In just 10 days, we will be on our way home for the holiday. I can't wait to see my nieces, my parents, Rob's fam, and my best gals, Les, Ann, Kal and possibly my old friend Courtney! As an added bonus, we'll be in Cincinnati for a day, getting wasted with all our pals from that great city.

Random- Rob and I rented Superman Returns last night. Due to my insane love for Christopher Reeve as a child, and complete awe of Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, I was left a bit lukewarm by the cold veneer created by Brian Singer. While producing such great work in X-Men and X2, I thought we'd see the same emotional pull in this as we have seen in his previous work. Plus I CAN NOT stand Kate Bosworth. She's way to young (isn't she like 22?) to pull off being an icon such as Lois Lane AND mommy to (spoiler beware!) Superman's baby. Ugh. And what was that bullshit at the end, with Superman's horribly delivered dialogue about feeling like an outcast and blah blah blah. Please. Save your money and listen to the critics who tell you not to see it! They were right!

Two more weeks....

Maddy, Rob and I, Thanksgiving Day
My last night at Mary's- oh how I miss my boys...
This stump just washed up onto the shore. This was taken at Samoa Dunes, the day after Thanksgiving.
This adorable beagle was one of the many dogs at Samoa Dunes that same day. I'm so glad I caught him mid-stride- what you don't see is him jumping up on me a milli-second later.
I love this photo- the contrast of the composition makes it one of my best photos taken since being here.

Two weeks from today, Rob and I will be heading down south to San Francisco before flying out of Oakland the next morning. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I feel, being so close to getting away for a while. Plus, being able to see each and every person I love and respect.

Since I now have this awesome computer and wicked fast internet, I wanted to post some of my photos for all to see. I've never before been able to post my black and whites, since I didn't have a scanner that worked. I hope you enjoy what you see.

Entering the 21st Century

That's right, folks. Not only do I have a bitchin' new computer, I also have a wicked fast internet connection. After having dial-up internet for the past six years, this was definately worth the wait. All I can say is WOW. What was I thinking for all those years, wasting time sitting for a webpage to download? Now, pictures download in seconds... and I can finally watch YouTube for the first time in my life! I can't tell you how excited I am.

I've been spending most of my free time playing The Sims 2, which has been far better than I could have imagined. Being such a fan of the original The Sims, the is way cooler than any other Sim game I've played so far.

Other than the new computer, Rob and I spent a nice weekend together, heading down to Arts Alive once again to experience some of the culture in our fine city. It's getting cold here- the high in the mid- 50's. Which is nothing compared to my hometown of Moline, Illinois, who had school shut down last week due to all the snow they received. I'm so jealous. This is another reason why we are in the wrong part of the world. It's December! There should be snow on the ground! Oh well, it's only two weeks until we come home, so I guess I'll just bide my time until I can see some snow.

No word on any jobs yet- Rob had a phone interview this past week for SUNY-Potsdam, upstate NY. I think we'll pass on this one, as it's far more remote than Eureka, with the only activities being skiing, snowboarding, and other outdoor sports... with not a theatre company in sight. No thanks! Hopefully by this time next year, we will be snuggled back in the QC... wishful thinking, I know, but a woman can hope, right?