2011 SAN DIEGO: Coming home to CLE

Aloha Dallas Fort Worth! Holy huge -- American Airlines have 4 concourses each with about 39 gates and its own train to shuttle flyers between them. Thank goodness we have a 3 hour layover. We had time to stretch our legs and look for a place to eat dinner.

Khyla and I finally decided to have dinner at TGIF. Khyla also had yogurt for dessert from Red Mango. Finally, our last flight on our journey home! And what a nice flight it was! We got seats A and B, and nice college girls behind us. We slept the whole way home and my knees didn't even bother me. I really like these 2 and a half hour flights!

Aaron picked us up right as we got out of baggage claim. Holy hot and humid, Cleveland! I sweated from the airport door to the car! I'm so glad to be going home. But before I can take a nice hot shower, I need to surprise the dogs... Mommy's home!!

Hey I know you!!

Geek patrol!

Welcome back Khyla!

Go to sleep little girl!

2011 SAN DIEGO: Day 5 Catching connecting flight to DFW

Aloha La Costa!


Khyla and I woke up early today! We checked out of the resort, put gas in the rental car, got breakfast at Mickey D's, drove through traffic on the I-5, returned the rental car, checked in at American Airlines and breezed through TSA security... and was still 2 hours early at the gate!! WOW!!

We had time to eat lunch at Pizza Hut. What?! Our flight was delayed an hour! No! I was so looking forward to sleeping on the plane. I needed to walk around.

We finally get on our flight and lucky us... we got to sit in front of a screaming kicking kid!! She screamed pretty much the whole way and started kicking my seat and played open and close with the tray! I finally turned around ready to give the parents a mean look. The father was sleeping, and the kid was sitting on the mom. Hello parent! I guess my stare was scary enough because it finally stopped. Khyla slept through the whole thing, lucky deep sleeper! Thank God its only a 2 and a half hour flight!

2011 SAN DIEGO: Evening 4

The jacuzzi was calling my name! So we went to take a quick dip. Oh it felt so good! And we went at a perfect time -- all the kids and families left to get ready for dinner so we had the jacuzzi to ourselves! We could have stayed in it all night if we didn't make plans for the night.

We found Khyla's camera by the way, thank God!

We got ready and headed out for dinner and a movie. I found a Noodle restaurant and Regal theater in San Marcos but darn the noodle restaurant was closed for the holiday! Where to eat, where to eat! We drove around looking for a quick place to eat that we don't have in Ohio... looks what's around the corner -- Jack in the Box! Aaron will be so jealous!

Now we are heading towards Edwards Cinemas to see Fast Five... Tita, you're missing out!

GIRLIE UPDATE: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trailer

Check out the trailer of Mr. Craig's next flick. It's the first book I read before seeing the movie!

2011 SAN DIEGO: Day 4

This is the morning Jen left San Diego for home. I'm sad because we finally have some time to relax and my sister had to leave. But she has to go to work tomorrow, shucks. Her going home also meant I have to DRIVE IN THE CITY. I was so nervous but the drive back to the hotel was a breeze. Of course it was only 5 a.m.! But I think the real help is GPS, thank God! I didn't have my usual panic attack because I knew that if I missed a turn or on/off ramp the GPS would reroute. No sense of getting lost. It's great!

With our snacks and Khyla' new bikini, we headed out to the main pool to enjoy the slides and kids water play area. Well Khyla did; I relaxed, sunbathed and watched her from my chair. Oh it felt so good in the sun! Without allergies or bugs. The weather was perfect -- high 70's, no clouds in the ski and a nice cool breeze. After 4 hours we went back to the room for a nap.

[No pictures -- not charged camera AND a missing camera now]

I discovered I broke the toilet. NO I didn't plug it! The chain to the handle came loose so we couldn't flush it. So I called to get it fixed and of course they took awhile, cutting my sun time in the back porch. Luckily I got a good tan going already. But I wanted to sit in the sun and work on my laptop.

Look what's out across the backyard from us...

2011 SAN DIEGO: Evening 3

- Got Room 412 - Had dinner at The Chart House in Encinitas -








- Jen and I walked the resort grounds -





- Jen packs -

2011 LOS ANGELES: Day 3

- Packed - Lunch at The Burger Kitchen in Beverly Hills - Shopped at The Beverly Center -





- Coffee stop at Starbucks in Huntington Beach - lookout point in San Mateo -


- Drive through Carlsbad - Arrive at La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad

2011 LOS ANGELES: Evening 2

The damage is done! 8-hours of shopping bliss!


Our new handbags -- Bebe and Michael Kors

We did a quick stop at the hotel to drop off our goodies and to change clothes before heading back out to see Hollywood at night. There's a big event going on at the Four Seasons... men in tuxedos, women in their evening gowns and furs and $$$$ sports cars in the drive. So chichi!


OK I shouldn't be allowed to drive in Hollywood at night. Spooky! Maybe I'm not used to the car...

2011 LOS ANGELES: Day 2

We got a late start of the day. The gym ran out of coffee and muffins by the time we got there. Oh no, no caffeine and food to start my day? We better grab something to eat before we start our drive to Camarillo Premium Outlet Mall.

The three Titas - Jennifer, Khyla and me

Khyla in the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles

Wow, I wonder what's going to happen here in the courtyard?
We set out for the long drive around noon. Bad plan. But we drove by 90210.
And got caught in the stinkin' traffic! Going through the valley of Calabasas here.

[Great, my camera ran out of battery!! What am I going to do now? I forgot to bring the spare battery AND the charger...]

2011 LOS ANGELES: Evening 1

I did more looking around than shopping today. I was looking forward to getting to the hotel. After the long flight, drive and day I just wanted to take a hot shower and relax with my sister and niece.

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, CA

Khyla's treats -- red velvet, chocolate fudge and lemon cupcakes

A beautiful room with a seating area

An equally beautiful bathroom...

With a surprise for Khyla on the shower

A huge closet to store all of our luggage

What! I have to pay for internet? How am I suppose to do work? YOU DON"T -- YOU'RE ON VACATION!

Where Tita and I hung out after the long drive and shopping

Where I wish I was hanging out after all that eating I did!

They loaned me shoes, socks and a sports tee to workout tomorrow. Stop laughing!