Home Sweet Retreat

It occurred to me that I have never blogged about my house before. I don't know why I haven't but I thought it would be kinda interesting to. My house is a Craftsman Bungalow in the Rose Park Historical District in Long Beach. It was built in 1910! Wow I can't believe my house is 101 years old this year! Dave and I have lived in this house since 2004 and let me tell you this house was scary looking. I wish I had some old pics of it to show you what I mean. We gave the house a "face lift", it was definitely a diamond in the rough!

Here is the living room. What I love about it is the beams on the ceiling. It also has the original hardwood floors and lots of windows.

This is the dining area. I love the original built in's that store our little nick knacks!

Our Ikea kitchen. I wasn't too keen on the idea of having an Ikea kitchen simply because I didn't think it would really withstand the demand of actual use. But I got to say that it is doing just great! I love the white old fashioned cabinets and wood counter tops! Dave's friend Kenji helped us put in the tile on the floors and the back splash. Also, the swinging door we found in the trash in Belmont Heights! With a little TLC Dave restored it!!

At the end of the hallway is a stained glass window which we put in ourselves.

The restroom originally was very small and outdated. Kenji put in all of the tile and we knocked a wall down to put in the shower. We also added a whirlpool tub!

The bedroom.

The office where I am blogging from!! Now let's step outside...

The gazebo.

The koi pond. I like how you have to walk over the bridge to get across into the backyard!

We have 16 koi fish.

The hut which Dave built himself! He's very handy!

The rock garden now has a new pond for plants only. Although, some rodents seem to be terrorizing the area! Could it be possums or racoons? Dunno?

Lily pads!!

A beautiful lotus flower!

And another!!!

As I was taking pictures I encountered this bright, blue bird!

I thought he was just gorgeous! We studied each other for a long time! Looking at each other with such curiosity. We get a lot of humming birds and insects of all kinds in our back yard but I must say I have never encountered a bird like this! I think he is a Mexican Blue Bird.

Well I hope that you enjoyed a tour of my house. I love it, it has lots of character and it is very cozy.



New Years resolutions

I usually make new years resolutions every year. I am always trying to improve myself and step back and ask myself what it is I really want out of this year?

#1. School is at my top list. I want to really decidate myself in my studies. That means good grades and showing up to school. Even on those nights when I would rather just watch TV and do nothing.

#2. Of course getting healthier. Sure I would like to lose weight but, I really want to focus on eating more veggies and working out consistantly. Dieting sucks but so does being overweight!!

#3. Set some $ aside for a nice and deserved vacation somewhere nice and warm.

#4. Learn French.

That is all. Pretty simple stuff I think!! Learning French will probably be my biggest challenge!!

Toast to the New Year!

We had planned to bring in the new year in the desert at Rasor Road but because of all the heavy rain these last few weeks we decided the conditions would not be best. So we went 2 blocks away to our old and familiar hang out, Alex's Bar! It was a 80's prom theme. I wished I would have dressed up but it was kinda last minute.

I had to take a pic of these people who went ALL OUT! They did such an awesome job of dressing up. The girl in the middle with the light blue dress looked thee best to me along with her date with the yellow tux shirt! I literally felt like I stepped back in time, with the 80's music in the background and all.

It was cool cause familiar people started showing up like crazy Joe and Vic! Good times!

The place was jam packed, it was cool they had 80's videos playing and 80's karaoke. Alex provided some hors'd'ouveres and a champagne toast.

Allen and Patricia!

Dave and I!

Almost time!!!!.....

Everyone get your drink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...................

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! 2011 is going to be a great year!

Big Bear Xmas trip

This Christmas we went up to Big Bear to spend it with Dave's family that came in from Texas. Here's the cabin, it looks like a saloon, it's cute and homey. Not too much snow on the ground there but most of it was in the mountains on the way up. The roads were kinda icy. Needless to say we did not need chains on our tires.

Dave and I went for a walk by the lake, it was so pretty.

It was mighty nippy! I made sure to bundle up.

We found a frozen puddle. I'll have to say it's so scary when you walk on any frozen water, it just starts cracking and you freak out...apparently Dave wasn't nervous at all.

There were these little footprints leading up to this...

log, that I'm pretty sure a bunny was taking shelter in. Awww...he must be so cute!

There's a really cool bridge along the lake.

All that walking got us hungry! Time for some steak, mac and cheese, carrots and some cornbread!

After dinner I enjoyed some NOG with some French brandy, it was pretty delicious!

Dave's family came in the day after Xmas, this is Preston, Dave's nephew. 

Dave's uncle Raymond and his little granddaughter Seela, she's pretty adorable!

We were all hanging out at the "Bear Bottom Lodge" having some VERY strong hot toddies. Check out the skier's and snowboarders. I didn't ski this time.

Later we went tobaganing.

This was a pretty steep hill with lots of trees around. I didn't sled at all,  I was too chicken.

 It was a nice trip.

Christmas present

I got a Christmas check early this year from my beloved (mother-in-law) Dave's stepmom Jerry so I decided to buy myself something JUICY! I absolutely fell in love with these pretty and dainty earrings! I also got the matching charm bracelet which I couldn't find the picture of it since they are sold out pretty much anywhere online. Good thing I got it just in time!

Now I can add some cute little charms to my bracelet when I get it. BUT the prices are just very high for a little charm, but they are adorable.

This Eiffel tower one is perfect for my silver charm chain I already have!

So girlie!

Yum good enough to eat!