Trip Details
2004-05-04 at 10:00 a.m.
While on my trip, I used several different computers to check my email and diaries and such. I noticed that on all but one of them, the font on this diary seems HUGE. I don't know if it's just the settings people are using on their computers or if it's something I can alter. Give me some feedback - how does the font look on YOUR computer?
Anyway, here's the first of the many trip~detailed entries...
FRIDAY, APRIL 23
I�m trying something new and actually handwriting a diary! I haven�t done this since 1991!
I�m sitting on a bumpy flight going over rough weather in Kansas. I�m next to a woman who won�t shut up and across from two know-it-alls, discussing the evils of Wal-Mart.
I just finished a crying bout after looking at my pictures of the boys. I miss them so much!
My dad is going to be picking me up at the airport. He works out at a gym in Los Angeles, so he�ll be in the area.
Great... the guy in front of me is snoring. I may as well be home. Maybe I should catch a nap, too. More later!
SATURDAY, APRIL 24
My flight arrived half an hour early. I got to the baggage claim just as my bags were coming down the chute and my dad arrived just as I was retrieving them. Perfect timing!
We drove from the airport to Mom and Dad�s house in Orange County. I showed them the pictures of the house and the newest pictures of the kids. We sat and talked for awhile, then I went to bed.
Still on central time, I woke up at 5am this morning. I showered and dressed before anyone else was up, then used Mom�s computer to check my email.
Later, we did some shopping, then went to get my hair cut. My mom had made an appointment for me with a girl who cuts her hair occassionally. It�s a tad shorter than I would have liked but at least it�s out of my face. In all honesty... it�s way shorter than I would have liked and I�m trying very hard not to let it ruin my vacation Waaa-aaah!
This afternoon, after K (my aunt) got off work, we went to lunch where I ordered the greasiest chili size I�ve ever had. We did some more shopping at an indoor swap meet, where I got two pieces of Route 66 tapestry luggage for $38. We also went to Expo and Stein Mart, two places we don�t have at home.
Dad joined us for dinner at Kathie Mae�s, where we all had spaghetti and chili. There was a table of unruly children near us who were talking and misbehaving so loudly, we couldn�t hear ourselves talk. I would never allow my boys to act like that. Hmph.
After we ate, we went to Kohl�s where I bought some towels for the boys bathroom and a pair of shoes that may actually prevent my feet from hurting. Here�s hoping.
I�ve become addicted to Pogo solitaire and am playing it on Mom�s computer every chance I get. I can�t wait to join Pogo myself at home and work towards that evergrowing jackpot!
I talk to K and the boys twice a day. I miss them so much. They�re doing great and are being very good for their Daddy.
SUNDAY, APRIL 25
I was the first one up again today. In addition to not yet being acclimated to the time change, I was anxious to get to Oxn@rd. This morning, K gave me 14 Beanie Baby bears. She has a huge box of them that belonged to Mur-ray before he died. She told me to help myself to them. I thought I would take one or two to be polite, but they were so cute, I couldn�t resist 14 of the damn things.
Mom, Dad and I went to Denny�s for breakfast while K went to practice her religion (play Bingo).
Afterwards, we took Dad home and loaded Mom�s car with our stuff. I drove through Los Angeles into Van Nuys, to T�s house. D had just left to go to work (she�s a real estate agent and had an open house this afternoon). We saw her leaving their street and we were at least able to wave to her.
T had Lasik surgery a couple of weeks ago and looks really different without his glasses. I showed him the pictures of the house and he too, was amazed at what $262,090 can buy in places that aren�t southern California.
He took us to the house he and D just bought. It�s just a few blocks away from where they live in Van Nuys. It�s a �flipper�, meaning he picked it up for a song and will immediately �flip� it for profit after doing some minor cosmetic changes.
It�s a two bedroom, one bath house built in the 40�s. It has a big back yard and is on a quiet street. They paid $345,000 and seem to think they can get about $80,000 profit from it in a few months, with minimal work and cash outlay. Knowing T, the plan will go without a hitch.
He took us to a Cuban restaurant on Ventura Blvd. in Encino, a block away from the church where K and I were married and were both of K's parents are buried. This was the first time I've eaten at Versailles and not had a celebrity sighting of some sort.
Back at T�s house, he showed us an episode of the Dave Chappel!e show. It was hilarious - I almost wet his couch laughing.
I wish I lived closer to T and D. Today was the first time Mom, T and I were together, just the three of us, since probably 1985.
More later...