I'm leavin' on a jet plane (then a cruise ship)

Well, I'll soon be boarding a jet just like this and head out to Rome


I wish this was our Lufthansa pilot, but he's a bit too busy these days to do that anymore.


Then I'll be boarding this ship for a couple of weeks. After my 7 night cruise in Alaska, I really felt like the Celebrity Infinity was my home, even going so far as making a special trip to San Francisco just to see it as it was repositiong and had a stopover there, so I can imagine after 10 nights I'll be even more attached to this ship.

States I've Visited

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Just for fun, here's my list of states I've visited. I need to have an east coast trip sometime soon.

I like maps

This is my list of countries I've visited now:


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or check our Venice travel guide


and this is my map in two and a half weeks:



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or check our Venice travel guide


I could almost count Germany, but I'll only be in the airport for that, so I won't count it. I've got to actually touch un-airported ground.

I can't wait! Tons of pictures when I get back!

A much needed (almost) Girl's Night Out

One of the best things about going to the Halloween Dance last Friday night was reconnecting with my friend Amy. She invited me to her 25th birthday party going to the Cheesecake Factory in San Francisco. I just really enjoy going to San Francisco. We had such a great time! It was almost a girls night out, except for Amy's brother that met us there.

We met in Napa and decided we needed to take two cars, so I went with Jill to go pick up our friend Monica at her home. That was really good, because we got to talk a bit, which I really needed to talk to someone who has certain things in common with me. It was really great talking to her. We picked up Monica and drove into the city, then got lost first trying to find Union Square, then when we found it, trying to get back to it to park. Crazy San Francisco streets! And crazy people almost walking in front of Jill's car. We ended up parking a few blocks away and walking over to Macys at Union Square. The Cheesecake Factory is on top of Macys.

We had fun going up the escalators of each floor - everybody wanted to shop on different floors. We finally ended up at the Cheesecake Factory and had a short wait until our tables were ready. We ended up sitting at two tables side by side to allow us to move in and out to the bathroom. Jill, Monica, Christina, and I sat at one table, with the Hansen family and Sara sitting at the other. We decided just to get the appetizer sampler and then later get cheesecake. It was good! And I got the Snickers cheesecake. It was good, just not the best I've ever had there.

When we were done, we posed for pictures out on the balcony, then everyone else left and Monica, Jill and I walked over to the Westin St. Francis to go up their elevators. They have the elevators that are on the outside of the building. We rode up the elevators about 10 times, flirting with the guys that would get on occassionally and taking pictures in various poses. It was such a blast.

We finally walked back to the car and Jill drove us back. I really tried to stay awake, but it just wasn't happening, and I had a nice snooze (judging by my dry throat, I think I seranaded Jill with my snores) back to Monica's house and then back to Napa. Luckily by then I was awake enough to drive home, although Jill did offer her place if I couldn't make it.

It was such a great night - just the type of night that I needed. (More pictures of the fun in the elevator when my friend posts them)


I like this picture other than I look huge.

My friend Jill. She is such a fun person! (and I don't just say that because she reads my blog).

The birthday girl herself!

Sara and I

I don't have pictures with Monica, and I love her! She's so very entertaining! So I'm sad I have no pictures with her.

This is Halloween

This past Saturday was Halloween, and I decided I wanted a new costume this year. It started when I was at Disneyland. I really wanted to dress up as Goofy after seeing the big Goofy hat at Disneyland. So I thought about getting the hat and the gloves, then saw the price tag on them and realized I'd be spending $50 just on that, and still would need the rest of the costume. So I said no.

But when I came home, I still wanted a costume, so after checking the local Spirit store, and not finding anything I liked, I stopped by Party City and found the costume I wanted. It wasn't built for larger people, so I had to try it on. I loved it, even though it does kind of show my love handles... er, love handlebar, or love roll? It was fun to dress up and I enjoyed seeing everyone at a Halloween eve dance where 95% of people were dressed up, and on Halloween where I went to two ward parties, had dinner with friends, and went to another dance. It was good to be queen, as I was the Evil Queen from Snow White. After feeling down last weekend, it really helped lift my spirits.

Some of my friends before the dance

Having fun dancing

Michelle, Amy, Sara, Me, and the safety handle

I don't know these people. They just wanted a picture together. I don't know if Snow White and Prince Charming even knew each other.

These girls are so cute, and thanks to Lauren for letting me use her arm to hide an embarassing salsa spill

I like this shot because it makes my head seem smaller

I have a feeling I'll have a real disagreement with her later in life. Oh stepdaughters! Actually, I don't remember who's baby this is, but she really wanted me to take a picture with her daughter.

Trying to give an apple to a friend at Ward Party #1

Hey, I'll take anyone who's interested. Oh wait, he doesn't exactly look excited. :(

Don't Stop Believing

Darn Glee cast can cheer me up so much! Halloween was fun and helped me at least temporarily get out of my funk.

Glee - Don't Stop Believe
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