cat nap.

I am in San Diego visiting family for the week. It is so nice to get some time away from Missouri - I love the pace here and the ability to just enjoy the day-to-day without stress. My uncle and aunt (Ted and Molly) are like parents to me. Growing up my mom and I lived in the bottom level of their house so we had the opportunity to grow very close. As far back as I can remember they were the voices at the top of the stairs. I would just call up the stairs "Molly! Ted!" and they would be there.

It was in early high school that mom and I moved out of the house and bought our own place. It was a strange transition to have them across town rather than at the top of the stairs. I remember really missing the accessibility and comfort that came with being able to see them every day. Now several years have passed and they are half a nation away. I try to make the trip out to see them whenever possible - usually once or twice a year. This house has become like home for me now, a place to rest, a place to REALLY relax and find inner peace. The best part? I am once again under the same roof with two of the most important people in my life. It just feels right.

Oh yeah, I have also inherited three very special sisters. Some of them more reluctant to share their space (ahem, Leah) than others. You may remember them from posts made last summer. They all have such very unique personalities! Tonight while Ted, Molly, and I were sitting and watching TV "the girls" were napping around us. It was like one big happy family.

This is Sarah - by far the most dainty of the three. She isn't quite sure what to do with me but she tolerates my presence and even allows me to pet her on occasion.

This is Leah. She does not like me at all. I try not to take it personally, apparently she doesn't really like anyone new. I suppose when you get to a certain age, making new friends seems silly. I think she is content. No one who isn't content can sleep that peacefully.

This is Hannah. We share a very special bond. She actually climbs into my lap and shows me endless affection. I learned tonight that she is camera shy though!

As soon as I took out the camera and shot her picture she turned and pressed her face against the arm of the couch. She is a private character. No paparazzi for her!

Ahh, my arch nemesis, we meet again.

San Diego is one of the hillier places I have ever been. I have encountered the hill to beat all hills... Princess View Drive. What a sweet name for such a brutal hill. I tried to take some photos during my run to exhibit her magnitude - but I fear that my photos will not do her justice. I like that I am referring to the hill as if it has a personality. I suppose it could represent any obstacle I choose it to. For me, it is just fun to think that she and I have a competition going. So far, I am kicking her behind...

This is close to the base of Princess View (PV)... it is hard to see but she is a long, steep climb. It took about 7-8 minutes to get up her. I want to believe that Pandora (the online radio station that streams to my i-Phone) also has a persona, and she was on my side in this epic battle. I believe this because she played the songs "Baby got back" (by Sir Mix-A-Lot)and "Sexy back" (by Justin Timberlake) as I took on PV. Pandora was cheering me (and my sore behind) on as I took the climb.

About halfway up...

Near the top, looking back down...

Back home, gloating :)

Princess View=0, Mariah=2

I suppose it is good to set goals for yourself, even if you are on vacation and without any major responsibilities. I enjoyed taking on my nemesis once again. Until next time PV.

June gloom.

This is what the locals call the haze that comes in from the ocean and covers the city during the mornings. I call it silly - there is nothing gloomy about San Diego. The sun ALWAYS comes out by noon and the days are sunny and breezy and beautiful.

I have been here 3 full days so far and it has been a lot of fun. For the first 2 days Ted and Molly's friend was here from Detroit. She played bball in college and shares the same birthday as me (July 5th). Needless to say, we hit it off!

On Sunday we went to the Hillcrest Farmer's Market...

We ate all kinds of good food at the market and we took some home to enjoy for dinner that night and the following night.

Sunday night we enjoyed delicious and fresh foods from our shopping trip that day:

Here are some oranges that were picked right off of the tree at Ted's friends house in Carlsbad (just up the coast from San Diego). Citrus fruits abound here!

Here is the spread for some of the food we had for dinner

I filled my plate to the brim!

Ted was the grill master. Though we didn't have meat, we did have grilled ears of corn.

And bread and wine...

Dinner was a success!

The next morning (Memorial Day) we got up and went to breakfast at The Mission, probably one of the best breakfast places in the area. I have been here every time that I have come to visit and I am NEVER disappointed. This day was the busiest I have ever seen the restaurant. We waited ~30 minutes to be seated.

Following breakfast we spent the day together just enjoying the nice weather and each other's company. Ted and Molly's friend from Carlsbad came in for dinner and we had a delicious spread (again). I didn't post pictures of this meal only because I feel as though this blog post is already pretty food-centric!

More than anything, the trip thus far has been very relaxing. I have spent much of my time trying to seduce the cats of the household. I have been able to pet Sarah and Hannah pretty regularly but I am still working on Leah.

Hannah...

Sarah...

Leah...