Just Me!!

Day 5 and still going strong! Mrs Preteen wanted to go swimming early since the pool had been closed the day before due to high winds. It was heated so 8am sounded like a good plan. The pool was warm, although the weather at 8am was considered freezing to the Locals and to my ears that I refused to keep under water at times.  The lifeguards were wearing hats, winter gloves, ear muffs, and large puffy jackets. We both froze our tushes off when we got out! Done. Check that swimming box right off the list. I found a Starbucks in our hotel. Apparently there are two Starbucks so no need for off brand coffee at the bagel shop. Charlie has been working on school work this week from the hotel. I fear she may have a lot of missing work due to our vacation. They have been piling it on the kids ever since we went back. Mark had to pick up 2 classes this week from a UMA professor who had to take a week off so he is doing sub work with his own as well. He opted out and declined the work but the...

We started off the day being our silliest. Posing with Val’s pic to make her feel included since she is sad she can’t be here. Ethan was excited to have the house to himself. First things first, Charlie and I went in search of coffee and breakfast for Mark while he was working (he is still teaching even on vacation). I love educating Charlie while we are vacationing so I was telling her all about the City of Sin and how it got its’ name. We talked about the common sins; sex, drugs, gambling, excessive drinking, and right as we were talking about the love of money this salesman pretty much hog tied me to a vanity chair and started to magically erase the bags and wrinkles under my eyes. His words and products were magical. We were both beguiled by the man but mostly (😉) his product. He was quite the salesman. Did I sin, absolutely. Did I feel guilt, absolutely! It however is a experience both Charlie and I will never forget. Fun little secret between a mother and her daughter;) we laugh...

We were going to drive to the Grand Canyon today but we were tired of driving so we spent some time in Monterey and Carmel. We started off with a wonderful breakfast as Rosines in Monterey. It was visited by Guy Ferri in Diners Drive Ins and Drives a few years back. We ate outside in a cobblestone street. It was perfectly perfect. Charlie tonight me how to better bounce my pictures and we had a good laugh trying to get the right Bounce out of my eggs. We stopped for some shoes (and a candy store) for Charlie along the Monterey waterfront and then we headed down the famous 17 mile drive to Pebble Beach and Carmel. Absolutely beautiful drive and loads of great pictures. We left there around 230p and started our drive to Las Vegas. We missed stopping at the James Dean Memorial but will hit it on the way back. We drove on the James Dean Memorial highway, right past the point of his crash. The views prior were full of vineyards for a good portion of the trip. The traffic was  crazy due ...