Queen for the day is over

I lounged around yesterday morning until it was time to get dressed for our outing.  While Jim did the dishes I got dressed.  Sonsearae popped over with her coffee and presents!  She and Chris gave me a coffee mug from Starbucks in shiny Christmas green and a beautiful Owl pendant necklace whose belly is turquoise (my birthstone).

Jim went up to shave and dress and started a load of laundry.  He did not make the bed saying since we wouldn't be home we wouldn't see it.

We left around 1100 heading to Hokkaido Hibachi and Sushi restaurant for a lovely meal at the Hibachi table.  Jim had shrimp and scallops, I had shrimp and Sonsearae had the veggie.  Jim and I had Japanese beer while Sonsearae enjoyed hot green tea.  There was some sharing and we also brought some fried rice home.

Taking some back roads we drove to Ft Pierce and the Heathcote Botanical Gardens, 'home of the largest public tropical Bonsai collection in the US'

I must say there were a lot of them!  Quite a few of the same species.  I did not take pictures of all of them and I only include this one of a flowering Bougainvillea

My companions for the afternoon

Flower bed!  I'm sure I'd have sweet dreams if I took a nap here

A frilly Hibiscus

A bromeliad tree!  Must have been 6-7 feet tall.  Quite lovely and I'd have one in my yard, how about you?

We were most fortunate and grateful that it didn't rain while we strolled this small garden.  We also had the place to ourselves. Well worth the time to explore all of the rooms and quite lush with tropical growth.  Since we are all former military it was also free!

We hopped in the truck and headed south on Highway 707 which hugs the west side of the Indian River.  We saw some beautiful homes, some smaller not so beautiful homes and everything in between.  We were headed to Chico's so Sonsearae could return some items.  And so we ladies could shop.  We not been in this shopping area so we spent some time strolling and looking.  Alas we didn't find anything to buy.

During this drive south we drove in and out of rain showers.  This continued on for the rest of our drive.  Our next stop was Panera Bread where I picked up my free pastry (birthday treat) and a couple for my companions.  Since we don't care for their coffee we headed to Starbucks for my free birthday coffee and coffee for Jim and Sonsearae.  We took all of this home to enjoy.

Arriving home around 1700 Boo was glad to see us.  I'm sure he was hungry!

It was a fun afternoon with two of my loved ones...what more could I ask for on my 68th birthday?  I was treated like a queen.

Our evening was a relaxed one as we sat around like stuffed pigs.  Castle reruns and a show about mega builds.  

All is right in our world

Vegas Baby!

Yesterday was another busy day! I was up at 0530 due to noisy neighbors making Boo bark who woke me! No matter I got to see the sun come up over the mountain and you know what? You can get a lot done around the house when you get up that early.

Even Jim was up early, 0730 well that's early for him! :) I stripped the bed and started doing laundry. We had breakfast and then Jim took me to Whole Foods Market in Henderson, Nevada. As anyone who knows me, it's my favorite grocery store and I can't remember the last time I was in one.

Once home we had some lunch and then picked up Anne and Scotty. Then we drove into Las Vegas. There's a mountain west of here that has snow on top. Pretty to see, but not able to get pictures due to haze and distance.

I only took one picture of the Hard Rock Cafe. There were loads of picture opportunities but then I'd have missed the sights! The sidewalks were crawling with humanity and I can't imagine getting out and walking around.

We did see a couple members of Kiss, Elvis and Superman and Batman. I assume they were there to point tourists in the right direction and for picture taking.

After we drove up and down the strip we headed to Town Square, a shopping area south of the city and close to the airport. We enjoyed window shopping and we stopped for iced coffee. We found an Apple Store and played with the I-pad for awhile. Then Scotty and Jim headed for an electronic store. Anne was torn, but she decided to stay with me while I shopped at Chico's! I found a pair of white shorts to buy.

It was about time to meet with my friend Carole and her husband so I called Jim and told he to wander back towards the restaurant. We all gathered outside of Borders to await Carole and Steve's arrival.

Once they met up with us we headed to California Pizza Kitchen for dinner. Jim and I had pizza and Caesar salad, Anne and Scotty had the same while Steve had fish taco's and Carole had a pasta dish, they also split a Caesar salad. Lively conversation all around the table! We had a good time and I think we've convinced Carole and Steve to join our lifestyle. :)

We almost forgot to take pictures! This is Steve and Carole. It was truly nice to meet up with my longtime online friend.

We may have to revise our travel plans. Jim has been researching the west coast and the fees to camp are very high. If any of my friends have suggestions, please contact me!

"A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even if you are half-cracked ~ Author Unknown"

Las Cruces, New Mexico

We were in no hurry to leave this morning as our trip was only 70 miles to Las Cruces. So we had our coffee and breakfast. Then we slowly packed up and left around 1030 this morning. The drive over the mountains was beautiful and uneventful.

We were all set up in Sunny Acres RV Park www.sunnyacresrv.com by 1300. Anne and Scotty were already here having gotten their coach repaired earlier today. The mountains from this side are worthy of pictures so we'll need to get some when we're out and about tomorrow.

Jim needed to get his sun glasses repaired so we found an Eye Masters that just happened to be in a mall! Once the repair was made we walked around the mall mostly for the exercise. I did pop into Chico's and we got some vitamins from GNC. After we left the mall we stopped at Arby's for a bite to eat. Then checked out Walmart for fuel. But no fuel. Then Jim stopped at a Verizon store. For a Tuesday afternoon it sure was busy. He checked out the phones then we left.

Back home we sat outside enjoying the afternoon. Jim had wine while I had a cup of coffee. Felicia and Frederico look like they wanted Jim's wine! Not sure how long we sat there with Boo before Anne and Scotty returned from their outing. They sat with us for a bit then Anne and I went for a walk around the park.

Haven't seen any iris lately and these are about the last of them in bloom here.
These snapdragons greet you at the office.
this flowering yellow bush is pretty, the flowers look like small roses but it didn't have a scent.

The four of us split up and went inside just before seven, I caught the end of Dancing with the Stars.

We've showered and we're just watching TV and playing on the computers.

"How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains! ~John Muir"

Shopping with my Honey

I didn't get up until 0800 this morning! One good thing about this cold weather we're having....it makes for good sleeping. After I made my coffee I woke Jim.

I had breakfast then started on my chores. Today was bed day and I started by stripping the bed and getting the sheets washed. I also did the dishes.

Yesterday when we returned from our outing Jim had mentioned he forgot to shop for a long sleeved shirt. So today I suggested we head out to the Outlet Mall. I figured we might be able to find something out there and it would get us out of the house. This nasty, cold weather is driving us all nuts!

We headed out around 1030. Wandering around the mall wasn't as cold as I thought it would be. But we took advantage of the heated stores and kept warm enough. We found a salt mill for me at a kitchen store. Jim found a shirt but didn't find a hat like he wanted.

You know what happens when you walk around in the cold air? You get hungry!! So we popped into Chili's for the two for one dinner. Jim had ribs and I chose shrimp taco's. Our appetiser was onion strings and for dessert we (Jim chose it!) had cheesecake and I must say I made a pig of myself!!! I can't remember the last time I had that much cheesecake...

On the way back to the resort we stopped at Starbuck's on 10th Street and I bought a ceramic travel mug. Then we wandered into Chico's to see what I couldn't live without....but alas, they didn't have anything I wanted...

Next stop was Home Depot to pick up some potting soil. I have a couple pepper plants that need some space to grow in. Since another freeze is predicted I don't wont to put them in the ground. Our next stop was an RV place whose name escapes me, but Jim needed some light bulbs for out interior lights. Then home!

As we were getting close Jim got a call from Ed Dray...I only heard half the conversation but I gather Ed ordered a new bed cover for his truck and it's like the one we have. :) I also heard South Padre mentioned, it needs to warm up for that!

Once home we changed into our comfortable clothes and had some coffee, played some games and watched TV. I finished up washing the bedding and with Jim's help we have clean sheets to sleep on tonight.

No dinner for us! Jim had some toast and I had some broth with veggies and mushrooms. We watched NCIS and the NCIS show that followed and now I'm watching Chopped on the Food Network.