A Night to Remember

Went to my second Dodger's game on Friday with Rae and her co-workers. We arrived at the stadium a little late and missed the first inning where five runs were scored. The reason we were late was because there was a big accident on the I-5. So in my head I was thinking how this was such a bad way to start off the night - we'll spend more time on the road than at the game.

In the top of the sixth inning, the night got really exciting. A Marlins player (can't remember who) hit a foul ball back into the upper deck behind home plate and it was flying right towards us - towards Rae actually. So I just reached out my left hand to try and catch the ball but it hit my hand and deflected off Rae's co-workers knee and came to rest under Rae's seat. I picked up the ball and gave it to Rae who then gave it to her co-worker who would appreciate the ball a lot more than we would. Immediately afterwards, someone asked "Did you see something metal go flying - like a ring or something?" I quickly looked down at my hand and noticed my ring was gone. I panicked for a second and then everyone started looking on the ground for it. After what seemed like an eternity, somebody next to us pointed at a pile of peanut shells. There was my ring - mixed in with the peanut shells. Whew...huge sigh of relief.

I guess the backspin from the baseball must have caused my ring to fly off because the ball hit me right on my  ring finger. We couldn't stop talking about that for the next couple of innings. What a game. What a story. I'm just glad that the Dodgers won and I left with my ring.

My First Sewing Project

I always wanted to learn how to sew and saw an opportunity to get started.  I signed up for a first-timer sewing class at a local community center.  It was once a week for 8 weeks.  The task was to make this bag.  I wish I could say I finished the bag by the last class, but I didn't.  The teacher kept reminding me that things don't need to be perfect and I guess I was wasting my time trying to make it such.  Working with material is so different than working with scrapbook paper!  Sewing is not as easy for me as I hoped...but the teacher repeatedly advised that we keep at it and promised it'll get easier.  We'll see if there will be a second sewing project...

Ventura County Fair

We've heard so much about county fairs, that we couldn't wait to finally go to one!  IT WAS SO FUN! I guess it ended up being more fun than we anticipated because we didn't give ourselves the whole day and afterwards really wished we spent a whole day there!

It was so huge...so many exhibits, food, rides, animals, more animals, etc.  We had missed the sheep riding and the pig races, such a bummer!  We spent a lot of time looking at the animals and I loved every minute of it!  We did catch a rodeo, which was my first time.  Even though I was afraid for the animals (and the cowboys) half the time, I would go to another one.  One of the cowboys is also into motor crossing so there was a little motor cross show afterwards.  The tricks they do are out of this world!  It's a wonder no one got hurt.  I was screaming and clenching my fists as if I was the one doing those tricks! I can't wait to go to another one!

Molly & Sandy

We dogsat these two girls for a week!  They gobbled up all the attention and did test us a few times by doing things they knew they weren't allowed to...like jump on the couch and run through the garden.

One thing I was really looking forward to was taking them for a walk and had high hopes and dreams to do it every day.  On the weekend, one morning Justin & I thought we'd give it a try.  As soon as I went to get their leashes they were so overjoyed they were making so much noise and couldn't stay still.  Once I got the leashes on and opened the door, I couldn't even wait for Justin to close the door.  THEY took ME for a walk.  Justin had to take over and it was obvious these girls don't get out much.  They kept pulling him and were choking...we felt so bad so we turned around after only getting to the neighbor's house!  Good thing it was early in the morning and not many people out or driving by because it must have been a sight to see.  The funniest part was that when we got inside, they were sitting still in front of me expecting a treat like they were good!!!

Other than that they were well behaved and really fun!  Not going to lie...we realized dogs are a lot of work and know it's not what we need for now with our long days.

Fiesta!

Every Summer Santa Barbara has a Fiesta Festival that has been going on for 75 years!  The festival goes on for several days and the entire town embraces it.  Stores and restaurants are decorated.  Everyone talks about it and wishes each other "Viva la fiesta!"  meaning "long live the party".  While my coworkers and I went to Costco to get food for our picnic, they ran into people they knew and they said "viva la fiesta" like it was a normal greeting.

My boss came up and joined us.  We went after work and watched the dancing at the county courthouse.  It was so nice!  Another fun tradition is that you buy these empty eggshells filled with confetti from these vendors and you crush it on someone's head so confetti gets littered in your hair and everywhere.  Let's just say we were all into it and found confetti all weekend when we went home.  

Santa Paula Balloon Festival

We went with friends to this annual festival and I'll let the pictures speak for itself.  It was so cool!

Dinner with New Friends

Justin was going running regularly with some guys from church (they even ran a race together last month) on Saturday mornings and was carpooling with this one guy.  He's gotten to know him better over this time and him and his family invited us over for dinner.  They were so sweet, especially the kids.  They were so well behaved and well mannered.  They had opportunities to leave the table and watch TV, but chose to remain at the table and participate in the conversation...ALL NIGHT!  It was so cute!

A Day at the Ranch

Two families that we're friends with live on a ranch and after talking about it for so long, we finally got to see it.  We had lunch there one afternoon after church.

This was the first time we brought baked beans and corn to a BBQ!  We thought that was funny when Justin & I were shopping for it the night before.  After we ate, it was the horses turn!

We got a tour of the ranch on an ATV driven by our pregnant friend in a dress!

Our friend built this cross when he was in high school!

It was such a fun afternoon with fine friends!

Celebrated 6 Years of Married Life

I'm definitely enjoying married life as the years go on and so grateful I can say that!  Honestly, I was worried early on that I wasn't experiencing the "newlywed bliss" that everyone kept wishing me or saying I must be enjoying.

We had a long day, but after a nap and a run, we had high hopes to have a date night with dinner and bowling afterwards.  Think we're getting old because after dinner we decided we were too tired to go bowling, haha!

I Miss Hawaii Sushi

When you haven't had sushi from Hawaii for a while, you'll think this looks and is just as ono!

4th of July

We finally dusted off our tennis rackets and thought we should use them.  We actually were wanting to play several days prior, but realized the strings needed to be replaced BADLY!  As much as I played the sport growing up, I'm clueless when it comes to picking out the right strings and indicating the desired tension.  This was one of those moments that made me really appreciate one of the many things my dad did for me all the time!  So, this was also another moment I found myself using my phone (while at the sports shop) to educate myself on tennis strings.

You would think there would be a handful of tennis courts around town, but there's actually not many.  We ended up at Ventura College and the courts were pretty full.  We found ourselves in between two courts with very experienced players...quite an intimidating experience after not playing for so long.  It was a good time of playing for 2 hours!

Justin got off to a rough start and kept hitting into the net.  In the end though...since he's good at every sport, sad to say that he beat me many times.

Right next to the tennis courts is the soccer field and while we were playing Justin learned there was going to be a soccer game for a development league, meaning these players may have a chance to play professionally.  This was all new to me and apparently Ventura has a team, Ventura Fusion.  At this point in the season they were almost undefeated.  Since we didn't have plans for another couple hours, Justin really wanted to go to the game and I thought why not, especially if they were supposed to be good.

You can't tell from this picture because this was taken way before the game started, but it was a full audience.  Just our chance though, the game that we choose to come to they lose!

In the evening we went to a BBQ at our friends' house where we met some more new friends.

Ventura College puts on a fireworks show and you could get view of it from their house.  The girls went out to take a look while the guys played "Settlers of Catan".  The girls did get a game of "Apples to Apples" in before the night ended.  No "Nerts" playing here...all in all, a fun 4th of July in Ventura!

A Lesson Learned...

After chopping a whole bunch of vegetables, I found myself confused as why my hand was burning and it was only one hand.  There wasn't anything obvious on my hand to show for it.  I hadn't even touched the oven or and the stove wasn't on.  It felt like acid was eating up my hand.  I kept washing my hands over and over, but the burning sensation kept intensifying.  Justin was even partially serious when he asked if I needed to go to the emergency.  After thinking about it more, we realized my hand was burning from chopping a fresh green chili!!!  Justin read online that the oils probably had gotten on my hand and soaking it in milk would help remove it.  So, I found myself soaking my hand in milk and it felt a lot better.  By the next morning there was no more burning!

"1776"

My boss is not only my boss at work, but an entertainer!  My coworkers and I spent a Sunday afternoon watching him perform in a play called "1776".  It was a story that highlighted the events/conversations that took place in signing the Declaration of Independence.  Afterwards we all went out to dinner.  Apparently Justin had made an impression on my boss as several days later my boss asked me if Justin would be interested in auditioning for upcoming plays!!!

Camarillo Greek Festival

Justin has always encouraged me to try new foods and Greek food is one of them.  I finally caved in recently and this time I was glad I did.  We went to a restaurant nearby and several weeks later we found out there was going to be Greek Festival in Camarillo.  Perfect timing and we both enjoyed having lunch there!