Our Anniversary

OK - so it was really on Sunday but I'm a little late in getting these up! We spent a lovely day together and didn't do anything that we *had* to do! No work around the house, nothing for work - just pure fun!

We started off the morning with breakfast at a place we've never eaten - Curbside on California. It was a small place with great food. I had the french toast & Matt had eggs & chorizo. Both were so yummy. The place was run by one waiter and one hostess and they had it in the palm of their hand. Fun to watch and appreciate as a (way back when) former food server.

We then hit the highlight of the afternoon - a big screen viewing of "The Princess Bride"! What a great flick! Who doesn't love romance, fighting, torture, weddings, kidnappings, monsters and great kisses? I didn't realize the movie came out in 1987. I've only ever seen it on video so it was lots of fun to see it in a proper theatre.

After that lovely diversion we hit REI to return some gear. Funny how you don't just go there to return stuff but you end up coming out with new items too! I had to exchange some shoes that broke (needed to special order) and a bag that was falling apart (I love that bag); I walked out with a new backpack for camping, some headware, a second pair of shoes and some cute little slippers for my niece!

By that time we were starving so we headed out for the best place for calamari we know - The Beach Chalet. The place was hopping, probably due to the nice weather and the proximity to sunset. Rather than wait an hour for a table we sat in the bar area and had a lovely dinner. I don't know what they do to their calamari but it is divine! For dessert we had a chocolate sand castle - fun and yummy.

Then it was home to open presents! I got a great travel book on all of the California Missions & the Presidios. I can't wait to see them all. We hit three last fall and it was so amazing.

And of course I have to say that I love this man dearly. I cannot believe it's been 9 years together. He is my heart; my friend, my love, my lover, my soul, my companion, my motivator and most of all, mine.

Been a while . . .

I think the fact that I'm not sure what to make of this blog is keeping me from updating it on a more regular basis so I will work on correcting that.

On a very sad note, we lost our beloved kitty Ella on 2/3/08. We returned home from being out at a concert and all was fine. Got ready for bed and as we climbed in, we heard something fall and then two awful moan/cries from the kitchen. There was Ella down on the floor. We raced to the emergency vet but there was nothing they could do. She had passed on the kitchen floor and nothing we could have done would have saved her. They believe she had a heart attack or stroke. I am relieved that it was quick for her; if there was any pain or confusion it was minimal at best. I picked up her ashes today and am not really sure what we will do with them. All I know is that it felt right to have her back with us rather than let the vet's office handle it.

Here is a picture of her enjoying her favorite spot in the garden:

She was with me for 12 years and I miss her terribly every day. I know that her special friend Alice is taking good care of her and I am glad they are together, watching out for me.