Adventures in Housesitting

So, I mentioned in my last post, that I've been housesitting for my parents for the past week and a half. What I haven't really mentioned on this blog is that a few years back Mylie mostly began to live at their house (it's a long complicated story, but the bottom line is her and my dad are inseparable) and I visit her every day on lunch, some days after work, and try to take her home to my house for sleepovers and things like that at least 1 or 2 nights a week. I also pay all her grooming and vet bills. She can be a pricey pooch. So even though her and my dad are best of buds, I'm her mama.

Anyway, housesitting means that Mylie and I get to hang out every day, all day. Except for those few pesky hours I'm at work.

And my parents' dog, Chloe, is there too. Oh, Chloe.
She and I are fairweather friends. It took about 2 days of my parents absence for her to warm up to me. And now, she is the lap dog I've always wanted. Mylie, should take some notes.

Early Wednesday of last week, Mylie and I schnuttled the parental units off to SFO where they flew back east to visit family and explore New England. 

Meanwhile, back at home, the three of us did a lot of this:

And this:

 

We also did some walking...(a lot of walking)

And stalking (of our famous neighbors who are demoing their house).

Some patrolling...(for squirrels)

Some harvesting... (and watering. I did not realize I signed up for gardensitting as well).

Snuggling...

But the best part of our days is the morning...

We fetch the paper...

And watch the sunrise...

I sip a cuppa tea, while the girls explore the front yard...

Chloe gets a good morning stretch.

And while I get ready this is usually where I find Mylie...

Except, I know she is starting to miss my mom by the fact that I found her curled up in her chair yesterday morning. She never sits on this chair.

But don't worry, she got plenty of belly rubs...

Along with a few special visitors...

Sometimes being "home" feels just as good as actually being home. 

Here, There, and Everywhere: A Few Things

Alright, I didn't feel like doing a regular weekend update, but still feel like I have a few things I wanted to share and chronicle on here.

Let's begin, shall we?

I made a double batch of these cookies. Just because.

I'm really bad at spotting hearts in things. Even though its one of my goals in life.
The other night I noticed my heart shaped pita chip. But it took my brain a minute to compute.
So I literally took it out of my mouth to take this photo.

I saw The Great Gatsby.
The Gatz, if you will.
I loved the Gatz.
I love Leo. I love Leo in Baz Luhrman films.
What I especially loved about this one was it wasn't too over the top. Just enough over the top.
I kinda want to see it again.
It felt like I was in Hearst Castle all over again.

My friend Ellen and I did our second (and her third) Soul Stroll on Saturday.
It was SO fun.
It's a 5k walk/stroll along the bay trail (which we all know I love) - with an option to do a 1 mile, 5k, or 5 mile stroll. They even have "chair exercises" on the lawn for those with less mobility.
The warm up sesh is kind of my favorite part "everybody dance now" bum, bum-bum, bum, bum, bum-bum.

We earned our medals, and wore them proudly the rest of the day.
My sister and I took our parents to the Giants game Monday night.
It was another amazing Win for the men in Orange and Black.

My mom accidentally grabbed socks instead of mittens.
And so she was calling these her Panda Paws the whole time.
It was equal parts ridiculous and adorable.

Sometimes I have anxiety about things.
And want to do this:

And sometimes to cope I bake (see above), and sometimes pouring myself the tiniest little bowl of Lucky Charms does the trick too.

But in reality, the Lord is the answer to all things that make me anxious.
You see, me and the book of Philippians have a long history.
It is probably my favorite New Testament book, and it is quite a popular one.
Especially Chapter 4.
I heard an awesome sermon on the radio on this passage, probably 11 or 12 years ago.
I cling to the truth that the Lord hears our prayers, knows our worries, and supplies us with peace.

This week, he opened my eyes to this passage in new ways.
That little phrase, split between verses, I have overlooked it the hundreds of times I have read this passage.
"The Lord is at hand"
Those 5 words bring more peace to my heart than anything else.
He is at hand. He is right next to me. Every circumstance. Every person who is hurting. He is at hand.

And lastly, Oklahoma.

If you're looking for a way to help, I highly, and I mean HIGHLY suggest giving through Samaritan's Purse.
Their Emergency Response Team is incredible.
They took action immediately after the storm.
Their volunteers are true servants of the Lord, and they help hurting people in both practical and spiritual ways.
My experience with them in Sandy Relief in New Jersey was like nothing I have ever seen.
Go here for more info. 

Out n About: A Guest Post from CuppaDad

A few weeks ago, my dad emailed me these pictures.
Complete with captions.
I realized they would make an excellent guest post.
So while I'm off gallivanting for a couple weeks, I thought you'd enjoy a little something from my dad's POV.

headed to the coast......not so fast.....gridlock

"Happy Girl"

"Happy Girl"

"Happy Girl"(Hour)

Dinner guest

Chow'n down

"Ticks, poison oak, rattlesnakes, mountain lions, OH MY!" "Where's Laura?" "She like's this stuff!"

Stick with "Rattle"

Stick with "Rattle"

   Just another day around here with the Ol' Folks

   Love, Pops

The Happiest Place on Earth: NorCal Edition

First off, today I am doing a little retail therapy. 

For a cause.

Head on over here to find out how you can help those affected by the Tornado in Joplin.

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Last Monday was Memorial Day.

Which means, NO WORK FOR ME!

Hurrah!

Which also means, I call my parents and ask them to take me on an adventure!

AKA, they drive.

They pay.

It works out well.

Anyway, my favorite "I don't have to work today" adventure is heading to Santa Cruz.

Spring, Fall, Summer or Winter.

It is a happy place.

Unless you go in summer, the whole Boardwalk will be shut down.

No rides.

No food.

No sunshine.

But come summer, the Boardwalk is bustling!

Anyway, my parents have a way of doing things. They are weird like that. But I roll with it. After all, they are buying me lunch, ice cream, churros, and a few rounds of Ski Ball!

They park a gagillion miles away. Up a mountain.

And apparently, I just learned this time, my dad doesn't like corndogs. TRAVESTY.

Sidenote: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has THE BEST corndogs in the world.

But only if you get them right under the Hurricane roller coaster. Trust me.

So, instead, they always eat on the Wharf.

Mom requires a window table.

Getting a table with my mother, is quite the process. I won't go into it here.

But we get one. And love watching the sea lions float by. And sometimes an otter too.

Usually there are some surfers in the distance. And a few boats.

It really is gorgeous.

Anyway, we had a nice lunch on the wharf. And after that visited the noisy Sea Lions floating on the docks. I seriously love these guys.

After that, we headed to the Boardwalk.

The place just SMELLS yummy.

We walked through the arcade and my mom REALLLY wanted to play air hockey.

But it was a holiday. And the arcade was seriously louder than being front row at a concert. I could not handle it. So we kept walking.

My mom wanted to pop into all our favorite stores. Which I gladly complied.

And then she wanted to play Ski Ball.

You may not know this, but I'm pretty good at SkiBall.

I am not Words With Friends good. But I am decent.

On one dollar of tokens, I got 25 tickets. Woot! Which meant I got three jelly bracelets, and a clacker toy.

Yeah, I know. Be impressed.

After that we just hung out on a bench, and did a lot of people watching. While inhaling the deliciousness that wafted by.

My mom kept offering to take me on a ride, but I was really just enjoying sitting in the sunshine.

Mom and Dad got chocolate dipped cones (I was holding out for Marianne's on our way home - another Santa Cruz MUST DO).

 But I did indulge in a churro. And got this epic picture of a churro.

I mean, if there was some kind of contest for the artsiest churro pic, I think this one would win. By far. Don't you agree? Blue Ribbon Certified.

Anyway, after enjoying the sunshine. And, some chilly wind. We started making our way back to the car.

But not without first picking up SIX corndogs to go.

Um. Yeah.

And some salt water taffy.

And of course the stop for ice cream at Marianne's on the way out of town.

In case you were wondering, I got Burgundy Cherry.

And it was SO GOOD.

I guess as a kid Santa Cruz is all about the rides. And the beach.

And as a grown up. It's about the food.

Either way, it is FUN FOR ALL! :)

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