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!