carpinteria

Bob and I went to my brother's house last weekend in Carpinteria. Early on in the day it was raining, but once it cleared up we decided to go to the beach (you can actually walk to the beach from his house). As we were walking we almost ran into this bird that was squaking at us because it couldn't move. I have no idea what kind of animal this is but it looks as if it is lost in time with its flat-top haircut. We couldn't tell what was wrong with it, so we decided to call animal services which turned into a huge ordeal because they wanted us to pick it up and bring it to them!

When my brother called the conversation went something like this:

Tyler: Um there is a bird stuck on the beach that won't move and is squaking really loudly.

lady: What kind of bird is it?

Tyler: I don't know, I've never seen one, but it has a black flat-top.

lady: oh, I think I know what bird it is... um, I am just a volunteer and I will try to see if I can get someone out there. Do you have a beach towel?

Tyler: yes

lady: do you have a box?

Tyler: a box, no (at this point I was laughing really hard because who brings a box to the beach just in case they run into a flat-topped bird that can't move)

lady: well, see if you can pick it up in your towel and bring it to us

Tyler: drive it in my car? um, I don't know, it won't let us come close and it looks like it has a really sharp beak

lady: yeah, they don't have teeth, but their beaks are really sharp. If you are going to pick it up, make sure you wear sunglasses so it doesn't poke your eyes out.

Tyler: um, do you think you could just get someone ut here?

So anyway, after a series of phone calls, Tyler turned off his phone because it got really annoying and while we cared about the bird, we didn't care that much. We walked down the beach and when we came back the bird was gone !? (Who knows, maybe it was an angel in disguise :)

How do you like this sign-- the bathing beach. Sure glad I didn't see anyone bathing out there.

We went to eat at Chamomile Cafe downtown. I love this shop because it is so cute! Not to mention they have the best bran muffins and chai tea I have ever had. The chai is made there!

Here's the display counter. Anyway, we had a really good time and realized that Carpinteria isn't THAT far away.

my new pumpkin pan!

My good friend Amy was so excited about the birthday gift she was giving me, that she gave it to me today, even though my birthday is over a week away. I was so excited when I opened it-- it is an awesome cupcake pan with pumpkin shaped-tins. I am thinking of all of the things I might be able to cook in it. Let me know if you have some suggestions!

megan's tennis match

Megan invited my mom and I to come see her last home tennis game on Tuesday, so we gladly sat in the heat to watch her play Woodbridge. Megan was my student my first year of teaching and I have a special love for her. She, in fact, made me a cape out of her old book covers that I just showed the kids in my class today. She used to hide in our classroom cupboards and we would play tricks on the other students. Oh, the memories... Anyway, it is really fun to watch her grow up and really into who she is. She has a natural skill for tennis & a good competitive side too (she was visibly upset that they only won one game). Love you girl!

may His wonders never cease

This sunset that I could see from my front yard reminds me of how much God calls us to Him through his beauty. May His wonders never cease.

bob's birthday

I love birthdays. I think it is because I always felt so special on mine growing up. I usually extend my birthday for a week and am sad when it's over. To Bob, a birthday is just another day that you happened to be born. You can probably visualize the hardship this created when we first got married. I tried to spoil him on his birthday, he didn't really care, my feelings got hurt. My birthday is a holiday (Veterans Day) so I always got it off of school/work, but Bob still feels like he should work that day, my feelings get hurt. See the pattern. I think he is starting to learn how meaningful this is to me and he has done some great things to celebrate me in the past.

Anyway, this year for his birthday, I cooked him a feast of his favorite food (Thanksgiving items), we got to go to Disneyland (thanks Barbi Relock) and our parents came over for dessert-- Chocolate Motherload cake from Claim Jumper. My mom even brought a singing candle that my brother brought home from China. This crazy candle wouldn't even stop singing when it was put under water. We enjoyed ourselves and now Bob is anticipating the surprise trip I am taking him on this weekend.

do not go to Costco on a full stomach!

For the first year of our marriage, Bob and I had a Costco card that we rarely used, so we decided that we didn't need to renew it again. I missed the visits to Costco though since it is such a fun place to spend time. The church that Bob is working at gave us Costco cards, so we are able to visit again. Yesterday, though, was not such a good day. You may think it bad to go to Costco on an empty stomach because of all the junk-- I mean samples-- that they offer you which of course cannot be resisted. Well, let me assure you that going on a full stomach is even worse. We made the mistake of eating lunch before we went and not letting it settle for two hours before we jumped into Costco. And if you love food as much as I do, you cannot say no to a FREE snack, even if it doesn't look THAT great, or if you are not hungry. Like I said before, Bob and I are not really Costco shoppers. We don't eat the same thing for dinner 7 nights a week, so we can't really justify buying 10 lbs of something. We also like to try new things but are not willing to commit doing so at Costco since if you don't like it, you basically have wasted lots of money. Anyway, yesterday was just another reminder to us that our hearts lie at Trader Joes (not Costco) when all we walked out with were a box of feminine products (the guy at the checkout was trying not to laugh) and immensely full stomachs. Well, I guess it was a free dinner since we were still so full by dinner that all we had was popcorn. Anyway, if you are afraid you are going to eat too many samples at Costco, don't try what we did by going on a full stomach, because you will eat the samples anyway, and will feel much worse. Let yourself splurge and go on an empty stomach!

it's not jaws, but...

Yesterday we went fishing at the beach (again) and Bob caught a shark! I am not sure what kind it was, but I am continually amazed at God's creation.

I even decided I wanted to fish today and baited my own hook, thank you very much. I screamed the whole time as I stuck the live sand crab on my hook and my brother said, "Sorry little guy", but I still did it. I don't have anything to brag about unless catching seaweed counts, but we did find a fin in the rocks that Tyler took home to use body surfing.

Anyway, here is a picture for you to see how amazing it truly is!

outdoor ed

I just got back from spending a week with my 6th graders at Pine Summit Outdoor Science School. We had a really good, exhausting time. Some of the kids' favorite activities were the ropes course, the archery range, the climbing wall, and the zipline. Those were the fun ones. I promise that we had science classes though, too. Here are a few pictures of the kids having a good time.

blast from the past

Bob's dad sent us this picture yesterday and I thought it was so cute that I had to share. This is actually the same street we live on now. In case it wasn't obvious, Bob is the adorable blondie in the front.

fishing at the beach

Bob's love for fishing has been rekindled so we have started to make a habit of going to the beach on Saturday mornings. He fishes while I read or go on a walk. It is very peaceful. Sometimes we go alone and sometimes we take friends. Who knew so much could be caught from the shore? The first time we went he caught a baby leopard shark, but since then it has just been fish.

I used to be an expert sand crab catcher when I was young so Bob and I went head to head in a sand crab catching competition this weekend (he uses sand crabs for bait). Final score: Bob 4 Jamie 1. Well I guess you win some and lose some...