The Flood

Sorry about the lame title...I need to work on those. Anyway, last week we had some crazy weather in the Southern California area. I decided to visit Brian one day for lunch only to be told his entire street was flooded and it was impossible to get anywhere near his street. This of course intrigued me so I came anyway. Our street has never flooded before, but apparently this is a common occurrence in Brian's neighborhood.

I had to take some different side streets to get to his house, but I did. And here's what I found! And remember, this was AFTER it had gotten better.

Brian introduces me to the new lakefront property!


The water was higher than the sidewalk.


Brian's car being attacked by trashcans that someone decided to put out. No trash man today!


Brian heads out into the deep to pick up the trash cans.


We could have sailed or kayaked!



Thank goodness I had my cute polka dot rain boots. I was able to make it safely for lunch. It's supposed to rain tomorrow as well, and I say bring it on!

Funny Conversations

They may not be my kids, but as a nanny I tend to have just as many cute/funny conversations with the kids as any parent. I wish I was better at remembering them all! Here was Monday's conversation with Cameron, age 6.

Cameron: So did you do anything special this weekend? (After telling me about his weekend trip skiing).
Me: Not really, why?
Cameron: You didn't go anywhere?
Me: Well I went to Brian's house Friday and Saturday.
Cameron: That's special!
Me: It is?
Cameron: Yeah, going to Brian's house is special because you're getting married so it is special when you are together.
Me: You're right, it is special.

I love kids, they really have a neat perspective on life.

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it's 2010! Wow, where did the last 10 years go? This year has some pretty exciting prospects - I'm getting married for one! Brian is scheduled to take his exams sometime in February/March (crosses fingers) so that's another wonderful thing. I just hope this new decade will be better than the last.

We celebrated New Years Eve at Tim and Dorsie's house eating yummy food, chatting, and playing beer pong like college kids. Well, I didn't play because I don't like beer. But Brian played with Tim and they won so there was much excitement.

New Years Day we watched the Rose Parade and football, and caught up on a lot of missed sleep from the night before. On Saturday Brian and I went on a picnic together to Huntington Beach Park. We had a nice time although it got a little cold. I fed some bread to the ducks, we played frisbee, and mostly relaxed. Then we went shopping for a new fish tank part for Brian's mom, and somehow ended up buying her a fish and a snail, and ourselves a snail as well. We've had our fish for 3 years now, and strangely enough I'm really attached to them!

Sunday Brian, my Dad, and I went to Pasadena to see the Rose Parade Floats. Boy is it hot over there! The drive was fine but finding parking was really hectic. We finally got in and managed to negotiate ourselves around thousands of people. Who knew this was so popular!? There was music, drinks, food, and games. Mostly we enjoyed the floats though. Here are some of my favorites from this year:





























Hope everyone had a Happy New Year! Much love and many blessings.

Christmas 2009

Well apparently I don't have any pictures from Christmas this year, so I will have to wait for Brian to send some over!

Christmas Eve we had chicken curry with all the fixings at my parent's house. Then Brian and I drove all the way back to Long Beach for Midnight Mass at OLR (the church we are getting married at). It was awesome as usual - except for the lady sitting behind us who couldn't sing for crap. She was singing so LOUD that I couldn't hear the beautiful choir half the time, and it was so off key people rows ahead of us were turning around to see what that horrible sound was. I just don't understand how you can be completely oblivious to something like that. And if she wasn't oblivious to how bad she sang, then she has absolutely no sympathy for those around her. GRRRR. I came home with ringing ears, I kid you not.

Thankfully she shut up for the finale, because that was so beautiful. We have some of the best singers at OLR. The year before a lady had a solo and Brian cried he said it was so beautiful. We rock.

After that I drove back to my house again, went to bed, and then got up for Christmas morning at 9. I got a new purse, some hair stuff, a nifty purse thing that keeps your keys in one spot. Lots of practical presents this year. Then I took an hour nap before driving to Brian's house to celebrate Christmas there! I got a video game, another new purse, a sweater and scarf, and some movies. Yay! We had a quick bite to eat before heading off to our next destination - Aunt Suzanne and Uncle Steve's.

There was lots of yummy food to snack on, and plenty to do with Grant, my little cousin. Brian and I bought him a Lego Star Wars set so we set that all up and played with it. My parents and Chris showed up a little late, but soon dinner was ready! We had split pea soup, a salad, then pork chops with roasted vegetables and scalloped potatoes. YUM. Suzanne and I talked about some wedding stuff, and then it was time to go. At least I didn't have to drive the whole hour home - I stayed at Brian's house instead. So yeah, that was my Christmas!

We have plans to see Sherlock Homes Thursday, and then go to a New Years Eve party that night. I think my mom is also having a New Years Day dinner as well. Tis the season to be busy! Hope 2010 is even better!

Kings Game with Dad

My Dad has tickets to the Dallas Stars vs LA Kings game on December 12. He was taking a client of his and her husband. My mom was supposed to go but she wasn't feeling well, so I said I would go instead. I'm so glad I did, I had so much fun. The seats are awesome first of all. They're on the lower level but still high enough so you can see the whole rink. They even had servers!



I guess it was some kind of Holiday special because it seemed like every 10 minutes they were giving things away to people in the stands. And Kopitar scored in the last minute of the second period, so everyone got a coupon for a free egg mcmuffin! It was so awesome.

So during the 3rd period I turn around and there's Bailey the Lion, the King's mascot standing just behind us. I poke my Dad and show him, and then my Dad asks him if we can take his picture. All of a sudden Bailey starts motioning for my Dad to come with him, and then this lady with a headset and clipboard come and take my Dad away! Haha, they had him wait until it was a commercial break, and then they showed my dad on the jumbo tron and announced he'd one a $75 gift certificate to San Miguel casino. Pretty cool.





Of course, what made it the best was when the Kings won in a shootout. Go Kings!