Beads and Buttons!!! YIPPEE!!!

The last time Jeff went to his clients office in Arcadia, I saw The San Gabriel Bead Company as we were leaving...we couldn't stop because we were heading to the pier for a cruise...but, this time we stopped! What a fantastic store!!! Lots of silver, buttons, glass, swarovski etc...but, more importantly, lots of local artist work

I picked up some cupcake beads and this cute little "gumball" machine bead. The "gumballs" are seed beads...so cute! The bead in the bottom right is a polymer clay bead with lots of polymer accents, pearl, crystal and glass seed beads...it was very unique and I was debating whether to get it or not....guess you can tell what I decided to do...you can click on the picture to see an enlarged view...

Their selection of buttons was huge! I thought the two little butterflies would be cute in a kumihimo necklace....and the other three I can use for sewing projects! I just need to put the somewhere where I can find them when I need them! I am going to try to "wrap" the two cabochans at the bottom of the picture...

I really enjoyed this store...and hopefully will be back next year...

Just a little more Universal Studios...and the Kumagawas!

After a long night in the laundry room at the Courtyard....we slept in a little and headed for Universal Studios....Jeff opted for "regular" parking...not the preferred....um, let's just say he is a little grumpy about yesterday's parking....hee hee.... The boys cooperated and took a nice picture....this was a major feat since they were starving! And if you know Jordan...he is not happy when his tummy is not full....

After eating at Panda Express in the Universal Walk, we headed to the Grove...we had a nice time walking around and we saw Christian Siriano from Project Runway...sorry no picture of Christian.

After the Grove, we met Burt, Joni and Kallyn at uWink for dinner...it was the first time I had been in the area....it's right by the Kodak Theater and Mann Chinese Theater...it was a trip...all of these people out in costume to try to con little kids into taking pictures for a tip....sigh, the boys learned a valuable lesson here....Can you see the Hollywood Sign? It is that white blur to the left of my head...yup, that's it...on the hill....I was going to not mention Kallyn...and see if we get comments...but, that might make our families wonder...so....This is the family with Burt and Joni's daughter Kallyn...

We saw a lot of "Stars" that we recognized...but, this one had the largest crowd...Michael Jackson....
Did you know that Disney has a Soda Fountain? We went to the Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store for dessert...I had the BEST ice cream sandwich....quite yummy and now I am full and tired...

Who's Woody Woodpecker?

So, today was our first day at Universal Studios....It started off with a "great laugh"....When Jeff pulled up to pay for parking, he was asked if he wanted to "upgrade" to Preferred Parking...he said "No..." then was told that the "regular" parking was a 15 minute walk...with no tram...he quickly changed his mind and handed over a $20 bill.

We then proceeded to "Woody Woodpecker"...and then the peanut gallery chimed..."Who's Woody Woodpecker?"....come on, we can't be that old? Or, is it Jordan and Neil are THAT YOUNG?

Here are the guys in front of the Universal Globe...notice...Neil is NOT looking at the camera again!

Jeff and Neil took a ride on the Govenator's hog...hee hee...Jeff and I liked the T3 2D show the best...
We also purchased "All you can Eat" passes for the day....I think we got our money's worth...the main entree, one side and a dessert were included....but, drinks weren't...so, we let the boys get souvenir cups. Neil got SpongeBob...(who I personally don't like)...

...and Jordan got Homer Simpson...who I also don't like...but, hey....guess what! We found out that you can get ice and water for FREE with the cups....that's cool!

Tomorrow is Day 2...but, I don't know when we will get there.....Jeff and I are currently taking turns doing laundry downstairs...and it's 11 p.m.

Last day in San Diego!

Today was another wonderful day with friends....we had a leisurely breakfast while Len went to work, Marsha and Mae had to run some errands...and the other kids played and played! The four younger ones hit the pool again until it was time to go meet Len for lunch on the base.

I wish I could have taken pictures of the base, but we had to turn in our phones and cameras to security before entering the base. Lunch was wonderful, the view beautiful and while the facility impressive...I still like the USS Russell...the destroyer Len was in Pearl....but, this is a nice building, although we spent more time there then expected....

After lunch, we went back to the house and I think the kids jumped back into the pool....Marsha and I ran to JoAnn's....I found some more Asian Fat Quarters...now I just need to make something!

It was a wonderful day...we left after having dinner at Oggies...pizza, pasta and yummy chicken wings!

Tomorrow is Universal Studios! Yippee...it will be my first time!

Reunions, reunions...

Our trip down to San Diego is almost over :( ... just as a disclaimer....I haven't posted pictures to the Dana Hall Reunion...because I need to go through them first! I'll have more time later this week...so, expect a few LONG posts....(Dan we did enjoy the video/pictures....more to come)! Thank you Sean, Colin, Andrea and Marie!!!!

After the Dana Hall event...we stayed with the Santiagos. In the morning we had breakfast at Island Style Cafe in Clairemont Mesa...it was quite yummy! Jeff had the Kaloko Moco....it's a Loco Moco on a crepe...but, it's not the typical crepe...it's a little thicker...and sort of reminded me of a Tasty Crust pancake...it was quite yummy....Oh, I had some of Marsha's Korean Chicken! "Broke da mouth!" it was good...yes, Korean chicken for breakfast...that's why we have been friends since 2nd grade! If you are EVER in the area, you have to go see Terri @ ISLAND STYLE CAFE! OMG...it was wonderful...and they have REAL Shave Ice! Terri's husband used to be chef @ the Four Seasons...and it was great...we also had some of the "sweet" crepes, Mauna Kea (Banana, custard, whipped cream, Lechera and macadamia nuts), and the Kilauea (strawberries, custard, whipped cream and strawberry topping). There wasn't much left of that! On Fridays, they have Kahlua pork...but on Sunday, Len had a Kahlua pork omelet...he said it was quite yummy....

Jeff liked the Kaloko Moco...as you can tell...oh, did I mention that Jordan had one of these also?

After that huge breakfast...we had to walk around, so we went to Seaport Village! Here is Jordan, PJ, Neil, Marsha, Kalei, Mae, and Leonard.

Of course, the kids did NOT want to walk around...they wanted to go back to the house and hit the pool. Here is Jordan and Pete...after they kicked the little kids off of the floater...

There was another floater for Kalei and Neil...but, the lining was tearing...poor kids, victimized by their older brothers.

Oh Tommy's....oh my tummy....

Jeff was home by 1:30 p.m. today, and we were on the road by 2 p.m.!!! Yeah!!!! It was a fairly smooth ride down to LA...except....I know you must use a hands-free device for your phone...and there is a new law about texting and driving....but what about PLAYING WITH YOUR MP3/iPod while driving? OMG, there must have been three people driving about 50 in the fast lane while playing with their iPod! I think I have a new pet peeve!!!

Jeff has been talking to the boys about Tommy's Original Hamburgers...the first time Jeff took me to Tommy's it was memorable....I'll let you guess why...actually, I didn't eat all of the chili this time....the boys actually liked the hamburger and chili dog....although, Jordan wanted a triple burger...Jeff said "No".

Here is a picture of Jeff and Jordan's hamburgers...amazingly, the boys didn't get any chili on their clothes...I am still in shock ...

Just another Catch Up Day

Last weekend we went to Salinas to help my parents at the Salinas Obon. The boys helped Grandpa at the Information Booth...um, Dad REALLY should have worn his hearing aid...but, hey, it gave him an excuse not to answer those tough religious questions. hee hee...I helped my Mom in the Pastry booth. It was fun seeing everyone from Salinas....next year I told Mom that I will help again....

On Wednesday, we met Michelle, Riley and Makaela at Chuck E Cheese in Dublin...actually, they picked us up....the girls were too scared to take a picture with Mr. Cheese....and Jordan is way too cool to be in a picture with a Mouse...so, that left Neil...

One of the reasons why I haven't updated my blog...is I have been busy washing clothes/ sheets/etc, packing and making snacks for our trip to San Diego/LA/Universal Studios. Jeff has a reunion with his college buddies...that should be a lot of fun....I haven't seen some people in years! Two guys are flying in from Japan, and Suzy is coming from Hong Kong...it should be a great time! They have a Padres game, UCSD campus tour, lunch, (slideshow has been canceled), and bowling social....

We will also be visiting the Santiagos, going to Universal Studios (the boys and my first time), Jeff is meeting with some clients and we get to meet Isaac...when we have dinner with Nick, Jazel, Burt, Joni and Kallyn.

The main reason why I have been "checked-out" is that we finally fixed my floor in the craft room...but, this entailed taking EVERYTHING out of the room...and putting it in the garage...remember my dilemna with the water heater? (we decided to get the water heater replaced before I put all my paper/fabric/magazines in the garage on the floor...Murphy's Law would mostly like occur)...so, I had to move my 350Z out of the garage...Since we were leaving this weekend for San Diego, I had to get everything out of the garage to put my car back in.

Fixing the floor was quick....it took quite a while to get everything back in the room....I am not showing you the floor, because it is still packed with stuff...I may have to part with some purses....AUGH! I also got rid of my desk...so, now I need a new desk...that may need to wait because I also re-did the closet...see below...Don't you just love the border? My friend June found it online for me...about 5 years ago...for 5 years I only had 1/3 up....my furniture was in the way and I never finished....but, since everything was moved out I was able to do the entire room...yippee...the wall below cause a lot of problems...I had a bookshelf on this wall...but, since I moved it, I had to patch the wall and I couldn't get the paint to match...so, I had to repaint the entire wall...sigh...it didn't take long...but, I made a few trips to Lowe's.

Speaking of Lowe's, I really hate/like them. I went to go buy the supplies for my closet...I asked for help 3 times...I finally left and bought the supplies at Home Depot. (Hey, I just realized that the paint they gave me was wrong....double disappointed in Lowe's). But, isn't it pretty? much better than what I had before...which is currently in the middle of my family room...I'll deal with that when I get back. (I have a whole shelf of yarn...plus two tubs below the shelves....I didn't want to scare you that much!)

Our next post will be from the road!