crazy folks in a little boat

Some folks have asked how we got so close to the whales and here's the answer. See the boat in the background? we didn't choose that one. See all the crazy folks wearing life jackets? that would be us -- i think there were 16 or 17 of us in a mid-size zodiac raft. The guy without a life jacket? He's the guide....who loves his job....and has the best giggle.....which you hear everytime a whale breaches. "Oh My God *giggle* Oh My God!"

The interaction on our raft while waiting for whales was awesome. There were people from all over the USA...and it was great hearing about their lives and why they chose this trip. We exchanged email addresses so we could get each other's whale pictures, just in case there was a camera failure. I walked away feeling like I had made some new friends.

good times....good times....

still here.....just not "here"

so, what did i bring back from vacation? a very "lovely" virus that knocked me flat on my butt for most of the week. Other than an ill-advised visit (a very short visit) to Disneyland on Thursday to collect my free $69 gift card (birthday promotion at Disneyland), i haven't left the house all week.

I did make it to church this morning, but only one service and i'm exhausted and back lounging on the couch, trying to not cough up any more pieces of lung. amazingly, and thankfully, my family has managed to stay healthy.

so here's the quick run down of my wonderful cruise with the girlfriends. we got on the ship on thursday, slept, ate, tanned, watched some movies, watched some live shows, and watched an INCREDIBLE Super Bowl with about a thousand of our closest friends. I'm a loyal Steeler's fan so you can imagine the crap I was taking when Arizona scored late in the 4th and you can also imagine what was handed back on a platter when the Steeler's pulled it off. good times.....

We also had an incredible experience watching whales and was offered the "good stuff" in Cabo and then we came home Monday morning. I'm glad we chose the 4 day cruise - I think 3 would have been too short.

here's a pic of my girlfriends after the cruise:

and us enjoying starbucks in Cabo:

and a couple more shots of the whales:

back tomorrow with another edition of monday movie quotes. we'll see if the blogger world can beat the facebook crowd this week.

i'm back......hehehe

i'm home from a wonderful trip.... but i'm exhausted and have to be up early tomorrow to go to the DMV (i guess vacation is truly over). here's a couple of pics. details soon - promise.

I spent alot of time taking pictures. It's what I do.

There is no zoom involved here - I was really this close to the whale.

this master plan thing

all i can say is that it's a good thing that the kids can all drive themselves to their events. i'm sure i can get everything done by the end of the month but i'm going to be praying that nothing unexpected happens. (i just jinxed it, didn't i? crap!)

it's just that it looks a little daunting on the calendar. good thing there's a vacation at the end of it all. i've also discovered that scheduling a cruise at the end of january is great motivation to start exercising at the beginning of january.

and, btw, the vacation thing is open to any one who is crazy enough to book it. it's a much needed girls' time away. if you want details - ask and i'll email them to you. we sail on the 29th back on the 2nd -- you'll only miss 3 days of work. i'll pick you up at the airport if you fly into San Deigo that morning. i'll even do the "important person arriving" thing....you know....big sign....crazy fans with cameras (cuz my girlfriends are fun like that).

seriously....the more, the merrier....

finally friday3...it IS friday - right?

gosh, holidays throw my schedule off.

anyhoos...here's my wrap-it-all-up-and-toss-it-out-with-the-rest-of-the-week plans for today.

everyone's at work today. that equals getting to pick what music is played while i box up the holidays. it also means that no one is playing xbox so i don't have to listen to gunfire all day. *le sigh of relief*

i'll be rearranging furniture which means that i will also be washing walls, windows and floors in the front rooms and then my house will smell pretty. *deep breath*

there are also invoices to be prepared and mailed (this one will probably carry over to tomorrow's list)

and bills to pay


and end of the year paperwork and organizing for the business which i stinkin' hate doing

and making a master plan for January because it looks like it's gonna need a master plan. so many things on the calendar already - and its only the 2nd. but it's all good because at the end of the month i'm running away to CABO with my girlfriends!!! *happy dance* taking a cruise *more happy dance* (i really love those last minute discount fares.)

so that's it....i'm off to be Super Productive Mom! ta-da! (just as soon as i have a cup of coffee)