Back to the Insanity

Ken and I enjoyed lounging around again this morning. We put off moving around and getting ready to avoid the inevitable - checking out. I managed to get another picture of out Ken this morning, and it looks good enough for our Anniversary frame.

We traveled around the town and went onto the Main Base both North and South. After a few more really bad directions, we learned that Point Loma Naval Base does not have a decent Exchange and their signs suck. We went to Pass and ID only to find out that they no longer handled IDs - mine is going to expire so we figured we'd handle that since we were on a base. 

Luckily, the woman at "Pass and ID" was able to give really good directions and we followed them and went off base to find the location for the ID Cards which was in building 400 - which was directly after  Building 285 and before Building 370.  The numbering system makes no sense whatsoever there!!

Ken was really wanting to find some items that we can typically only find on a Base, so we took the directions to the MCRD and went there. Ken called it the "Hollywood Marines" and he explained why to me the entire time we were there. The Marine Corps Recruiting Depot in San Diego is really nice. Apparently, it is a lot nicer than Perris Island where Ken went, and calling the Marines that graduate from MCRD the "Hollywood Marines" is how the other graduates feel better.  Ha!!  We found the Christmas ornament for our tree to commemorate this trip, but we weren't able to find the glove liners or the pens that Ken wanted at the MCX. Oh well. 

It was graduation day, so we had to get through all of the families. Ken cannot believe that Marines are allowed to enlist at the tender ages of 12 of 14 - which is what these young men looked like to us. Sadly, that makes us the "old people" on base. Yuck!

Lucky for me, my husband is a good sport, and he tolerated me taking a picture of him with the Hollywood Marine Corps sign.  HeeHee

After stopping for lunch, we headed home.  Thankfully, we didn't get stuck in too much traffic. I was worried about the Vegas traffic since we left late on a Friday afternoon, but we did pretty well getting home. 

(Now that we're back in the High Desert rather than the warm beach area, I'm sure that Ken will continue to complain that he's cold, but at least he'll be justified.)

Anniversary Trip

It was time for Ken and me to celebrate our anniversary. I cannot believe that we have been married for 4 years now. There are times that it seems we have been married longer because we know each other so well, and then there are other times when it doesn't seem long enough and we find ourselves hoping for the 50+ more  years.  We started our tradition of going full-tilt on the anniversary in celebration of his making the first one when we were initially told he wouldn't live that long. (You can see many of the stories Here if you are new to this blog.)

This year, rather than try to make plans and not tell the other, Ken and I sat down and went over the many ideas that we had for a trip to take. We decided on trying out the Bayside Cottages at Point Loma Naval Base in San Diego. We wanted to continue with going places together that we hadn't been to before. We really wanted somewhere where we could relax and unwind, and this turned out to be the PERFECT spot.

Now, getting checked in was an entirely different story. It was a complete mess trying to find the location to check-in to the cottage in the first place. We found the Base just fine, entered through the gate and followed the signs. Apparently, Navy bases do not have to have any system for their building numbering systems, and then there was the problem that the address we were given for the Getaway Inns was not where they were located. After 40 minutes of wandering around the base, we finally called.

Um, no. Making a phone call and talking to a person did not actually help us find them. We did manage to find the cottage, but we couldn't find the lobby of the Inn to check-in. What?! The woman apparently did not understand that we were calling from on the Base, and we figured out that she was giving really good directions if we were trying to find the Base (seriously, "look for the grey ship that's not really a ship" was the best that woman could do??). Ken finally spoke with someone who realized where we were calling from and gave us directions we could follow.  Yay!! So, even after all of the wandering, we were too early to check-in, so we walked across the street and had lunch.

Oggi's was our first choice for lunch, but apparently, they did not make their December 21st Grand Re-Opening date, so we settled for a Mexican place. Ken and I were starving, so we were good with just about anything we could find.

At 1500, we walked back into the lobby only to be told that they weren't done with the cottage yet.  Apparently, the cleaning crew never made it over there, so we sat in the lobby and watched CNN and waited.  

The lady at the desk, Kate, felt really bad and gave us coins for their espresso machine. It wasn't bad coffee, but it wasn't a substitute for the alone time that we were desperate for.

Another hour squeaked by, and we were finally in the cottage. Oh my!! This was so worth the wait!! Ken and I looked at the pictures of the cottage online, but they did not do it justice.

I went onto the wonderfully tiled patio and took a look around. There was an outdoor heater, a tiled counter and plenty of chairs for lounging. It was amazing!! Then, there was the view!

Last night, Ken and I stayed in for the evening.  We had done some grocery shopping in town and had sandwiches from Panera, so we spent the evening taking in the view from the patio and enjoying cheese, crackers and wine. It was so amazing to be able to talk to one another without having to talk over or around the children and then to be able to talk openly about things was another plus. There is a lot to be said about taking the time for your spouse, and we are lucky to be able to do this at least once a year.

Ken and I lounged at The Bayview Cottages all day today. We have a lovely view, and the cottage is spectacular. We were disappointed to learn that the Navy is going to demolish these cottages and get rid of the harbor for a new mammal training later this year, but at least we were able to enjoy them now.

For supper, we found a place online - The Brigantine Point Loma. I had done an internet search, and this place had good ratings. Ken and I loved it here!! The food was excellent and the service was superb!! It was a great way to have an opulent night out to celebrate!

We enjoyed some more wine and crackers after we returned, and then turned in early. It was so nice to NOT have any plans or even have to go somewhere. I wanted to feel guilty about being so "lazy" but Ken and I earned every moment.

Five Years!

Five years ago, exactly today, I received a phone call from Ken. He was a guy I had met through an online dating site, and we had escalated to phone calls from just emails.

I enjoyed talking to Ken even despite having recently left the girls' father and all of that nightmare. Ken and I had had numerous phone conversations, and he was asking to see me. I was totally honest about myself: the drinking, smoking cigars, shooting & cussing, and yet he still kept asking me out. Unfortunately, I was past broke & everyone I knew to ask to watch the girls was away on Summer Break.

On the evening of Friday, July 13, 2007, Ken called me just after the girls had eaten supper. (There wasn't enough food for me to eat at this point.) Ken asked what we were doing tonight and I told him - the girls were finishing their supper and then we were going to watch a DVD. Ken said he had a different idea - load the girls up and meet him at John's Incredible Pizza.

John's Incredible is a slightly better Chuck E Cheese. The food is OK, and everything is way overpriced with tons of games and silly rewards for the tokens. Ken just wanted to meet me, and he was happy having the girls tag along.  

My first impression at seeing Ken was that he was even more handsome in person than the pictures he had posted of himself. Inside, I was doing a happy dance while going to say hello in the parking lot. The girls introduced themselves and were fairly shy about it.  Taylor and Mandy had not yet dealt with the fear of men they had developed from their father.  Jordan, however, sized up Ken, chatted with him for about 3 minutes, and then grabbed his hand and declared that he was "OK." I quickly snapped a picture of his license plate and sent it via text to a friend of mine, "Just in case."  Ken didn't notice me doing that, and he loves hearing that I did it when I told him later.

Ken listened to the girls' stories and to me. He and I chatted away the entire night.  He bought tokens for the girls and helped me watch them while they played in the arcade. I was impressed that he only bought them $5 each and he didn't go overboard.  That was a major plus for him to me.  Ken and I were having a great time talking and getting to know each other better.  He told me later that he was really relieved that I was as pretty and just like I had been on the phone - Ken was afraid that I was going to be snooty or something in person.

When the "restaurant" told us they were closing, neither of us were done, but the girls were exhausted, and I needed to get them home and in bed.  I took a huge chance and invited Ken back to my house.

Everything after that is, well, history. The next day, he called me to have supper at his house and meet his boys.  All 6 of the kids had a great time together, and it was very natural for us all to be together.  Ken and I found that we really preferred each other. I couldn't stop thinking about him and he couldn't stop thinking about me, and the rest is well, history.

So, in honor of that first date, since we found ourselves with Friday, July 13th again, we recreated the first date a bit, and we took the girls with us to celebrate at John's Incredible Pizza.  We do not go there on our own - it is usually a birthday party that gets the girls through those doors.  You should have heard the girls' excitement that they were being included in the anniversary celebration. 

Now, very sadly, I have no pictures of us from 5 years ago.  My camera was not the best and my computer had frozen, so I didn't take any.  Here are a couple of pictures from the first few months of dating:

You can see that the girls loved being around Ken, and I always figured that so long as he stayed a part of their lives - no matter what happened between us - that they would be OK.  I never dreamed I would be so lucky as to be his wife, but that is what happened, and I have never regretted a day!

Here is our Family Date from tonight:

Rather than recreating the ending that we had 5 years ago, Ken and I ended this celebration in the style that we have grown accustomed to: back patio, a drink, and cigars with easy conversation.  It's not much different from "then" - the conversation and talking was always easy, but this was a great way to enjoy the cooler temperature, a very slight breeze, and to relax from the noise and running around from the pizza place.

Neither of us can believe that it has been 5 years.  Ken and I talk about that a lot - it seems that we have known each other forever, so there's no way it's only been 5 years, and then we think about our lives before we met, and we can't believe that 5 years has gone so quickly. 


We have been so very happy - even when things were tough and we weren't seeing eye to eye. There is nothing that I would change about what we have.  Even Ken's cancer has made us appreciate ourselves, each other and our lives so much more.  


A toast was made to the next 50 years, so we're getting started on that.  

Day in Paradise

This morning, I awoke to the sounds and smell of the ocean. It is an indescribable joy to me to be "home" and to have this relaxation. The weather today was perfect - no clouds, no haze and eventually 80 degrees of sunshine. We had a lazy morning in bed with all of the benefits which always keeps me smiling and happy. (To those who find that TMI, so sorry, but this is MY blog.)


My coffee companions were a couple of sea gulls that had no worries in the world, including me. The beach is quiet since it's off season, so I was able to truly enjoy the experience with little distraction.


I was later joined on the patio by Ken who shared breakfast and coffee with me while quietly enjoying the sounds of the Pacific. He always knows what I need and when, so he stayed quiet reading his paper while I took it all in and felt the tension of the last few months leave my shoulders.


We spent the day cruising Mainside. The USMC coffee packets in the villa aren't the best, so we started with some espresso. We talked and actually had conversation rather than squeezing in chat between kids and responsibilities. Ken really wanted me to check out a gun shop in San Diego, but I couldn't justify the trip to "check out" a potential purchase right now. I asked Ken to enjoy our time here, and we can check out the shop when we come back in June.


I did a little shopping at the PX & got some needed items at a discount without paying sales tax, we grabbed some lunch and then headed back to the villa to eat and then take a nap.  Before we took a nap, we walked the beach and enjoyed more talking and catching up with each other.  I had Ken walk the shoreline so he could get his feet in the sea water, and we noticed that there was gold flakes in the water - it looked like Fool's Gold.  Last night, and then again tonight, we noticed that the surf was reflective, and I have to wonder what the gold is in the water and if it had anything to do with the amazing light show we got at night.


When we awoke from our nap, Ken grilled steaks which came out amazing, and we enjoyed a bottle of wine while watching the sun set.  We used the fire pit and had a fire until late in the evening.  I am always by Ken's stories of his Service and his life, and I am increasingly glad that he married me.  I am sharing my life with such an incredible man who influences everyone around him.  Those who meet Ken are astonished by just what a nice, great guy he is, and people aspire to be like him.  Yet, this great man chose me!


Ken and I enjoyed our Semper Fi Cabernet Sauvignon and an Onyx cigar while talking the night away.  Before we knew it, we heard Taps being played.  Ken came immediately to attention, and I joined him in remembering those who fought and lost.  


We talked about our hopes, desires, our fears and our dreams.  I hope that we will always be able to be like this.  Life was starting to get in the way, and I love that we were able to take back our marriage and our friendship!

Happy 3rd Anniversary

Well, in spite of Dr. Big Head's prediction, Ken has made it to our Third Wedding anniversary. I am thrilled beyond belief that he has proven the doctors all wrong.

There is absolutely no way for me to describe my feelings for Ken. On the one hand, it does not seem like it's been three years and yet it seems like it's been longer than three years. Part of me is loving the newness, and the other part of me feels like Ken has completed my life forever.

For the actual anniversary, I whisked Ken to Disneyland.  I had numerous things on my Disney wish list, and I was able to check off: stay at a Disneyland Hotel.  The Paradise Pier was great, but it was a walk to and from the Park.  Note to self - the Disneyland Hotel would be worth the added money to use the monorail.

The first stop: going to Town Hall for the Anniversary buttons.  Ken wasn't sure about it at first because it drew attention to us, but it was really cool to have people acknowledge us - especially since we always go way overboard on the anniversary celebrations.  The next stop was getting a picture in front of the gimormous Christmas Tree.  I tried to convince Ken to take a picture with Mickey, Minnie and the gang, but he wasn't going for it.  

I loved being able to get our pictures done with the Anniversary banner!

The photographer instructed us to kiss - yeah, like we needed prodding, but then some others had a problem with the fact that we weren't stopping.  The photographer gave a big "Awwwwwwwww"

OK, the next thing checked off my Disney list was eating at the Blue Bayou.  I knew the food was overpriced, but it was the best food I have ever eaten at the Park!  Not to mention, I was finally in the super cool place at Pirates of the Caribbean and enjoying a romantic meal with my Love.  The waiter was great, and we were surprised with an Anniversary mousse to share.  

Eating at the Blue Bayou - best food in the Park!

There was a great Christmas section that I had found with the girls in the French Quarter

I had never seen It's a Small World redone for the Holidays.  It was awesome!

Some chocolates at turn-down

The anniversary cupcakes were delivered while we were out.  They were perfect!!

Bonus of surfboard Rice Krispy Treats - the girls loved these

Supper at the Wine Country Trattoria

Waiting for the World Of Color performance.  

This has to be my favorite moment of all time.  Ken was willing to go see the World of Color because I really wanted to see it.  I had heard from Jeff and Brie Wells that it was amazing.  We watched the show, which was described by a castmember as "The Bellagio water show on Disney" and it completely was.  I have no doubt that my face was as full of amazement as the little boy sitting behind us shouting, "OH MY GOSH!  OH MY GOSH!"  When it was all over, I was completely overwhelmed.  I love Disney's magic and how great it is to believe  in everything; that everything is possible.  At the end of the show, I asked Ken how he liked it.  He said, "It was cool.  It didn't suck."  I started laughing HYSTERICALLY!  What a great statement.  

I laughed about it all the next day, and Ken said that he expected it to suck, but he was really impressed that it didn't.  We were able to see the second show from our room, and I caught Ken watching it again.  It wasn't possible to see all of the animation on the water from our hotel, we could see the water and light show.  Talk about amazing!

While walking back to the hotel, we went through the Grand Californian and heard a capella carolers.  They were amazing, and even Ken was having a great time listening to them  

Clearly one of my favorite moments was catching this group of carolers.  I love singing, and while I don't do it anymore out of my bathroom, I completely appreciate what others do.  The shorter woman had the alto voice and she was the most animated.  They took requests, and Ken was even "wowed" by their a capella rendition of Carol of the Bells.  What a great treat before heading to the hotel room for the night.

This was the Christmas Tree in our hotel lobby

Ken's favorite ride is Buzz Lightyear because, simply, he gets to shoot things.  Of course, he's married to the world's worst loser, so it takes everything I have not to throw a tantrum when he kicks my ass.  I was totally proud of Ken though the second day when he hit the lead board.  Whoo-hoo!

Ken gets #4 in the Top Ten for the day!

There was a lot that Ken had never experienced at Disneyland, and since we didn't have the girls, I was able to get Ken to let loose and enjoy himself.  We were able to go on rides together which was something we had not been able to do before.  Usually, we're split between the girls, so it was nice to be together on every ride. 

Ken had not been on the Mark Twain steamboat nor had he been to Tom Sawyer's Island which is now the Pirate's Lair.  Ken loved both of them a lot!  I think I may have converted him over to loving Disneyland, but we'll see.

What is even better to me is that Ken also planned an Anniversary celebration. OK, in all honesty, it was his turn to plan the getaway trip, but I just couldn't resist Disneyland since we had the passes!  So, at the first of January, we're heading to Del Mar for a very relaxing 3 days at the beach.  No girls, no studying, no working!  I'm all about relaxing!

Being able to have such celebrations is always wonderful, but when it is all stripped down, I am still so amazed that I have Ken in my life.  Words are completely unable to describe my feelings for this wonderful, kind, gentle man who has forever changed my life and the girls' lives.  He has shown the girls what a "Daddy" is supposed to be like and he has given me unconditional love which I had never known before him.  Ken, you inspire me to be the person I always wanted and to be the best at everything I do.  I want to lift you up to be the best you can be and will always support you.  Thank you, my Love, for fighting brain cancer and for sticking around.  

Here's to 51 1/2 more anniversaries (but you promised more if possible).