I'm a California Girl

What can I say? It agrees with me. I spent a few days on the West Coast last week. I'm annoyed with the slowness of Slide.com, so how about one big long post? I even included links!

FRIDAY

Had a hard time getting to San Francisco—flight left B'ham late and I got stuck in Houston for a good five hours. But I made it to California in time for a 1 a.m. dinner at In-N-Out. Brooke ordered our burgers animal-style (from the secret menu). Delish and messy. Be glad I don't have photos of that. Here's a logo instead.



SATURDAY

First stop: Napa. We met up with the Bakers and the Bowlbys for a little lunch and wine tasting.





Then on to dinner at the wonderful Cole's Chop House, where Brooke and I sat in the exact same spot as last year. We even posed the same. We're nothing if not consistent.




You might remember that I spotted a serial killer at Cole's last year. Click here. This year a man offered up his cottage for us to spend the night. He stressed that he's happily married with kids—back in Texas. He just hated to see us drinking and driving home. (Because one glass of wine with a big steak will make you oh-so-loopy.) Yes, of course, this doesn't seem like a bad idea at all. We declined his offer.

SUNDAY

On to San Francisco. We tasted Irish coffee at the famous Buena Vista.




And then walked across the Golden Gate Bridge.





We went down the secret Seward Street slides and got yelled at by an old lady who lives nearby. She asked us if we could read the sign that said, "No adults unless accompanied by children." I guess she could tell we were thinking about saying that we couldn't, because she followed that with, "I know you can." We ignored her and slid down one more time. No one can tell me what to do. I'm 30.




Then on to Lime for dinner. We took pics of our delicious tiny food just for Bowlby.





It's a shame that we were too full to finish dessert.



Save your breath. Yes, we styled the shots. And, yes, we're dorks.

MONDAY

We stayed in Palo Alto Monday and spent some time with Julia and the bebe. Lots of fun. Oh, and I needed to secure a new profile pic for Facebook.





We were worn out after such a tough day, so we headed over to Happy Feet for an hour-long massage. Best $25 I ever spent. It wasn't sketchy at all, although I'm glad Brooke warned me about the butt rub. We ended the night with a great tapas dinner at Iberia. Yum.





TUESDAY

Because you've been so patient, here's a slideshow from the day we spent in Santa Cruz at the boardwalk. We played old arcade games, air hockey, skee-ball; rode fair rides; and ate carnival food. It was everything I was hoping for, and we even found a photo booth! (Roll your mouse over the images for captions.)

It was the perfect trip! Thanks, Brooke!! Even the unplanned 4-hour layover in Cleveland on the way back was worth it!

A Little Free Time

You guys are so lucky. I'm posting a bit from vacation. Now that, my friends, is dedication. I hope you appreciate me.

PS: The best way to show me appreciation is with monetary gifts. I prefer cash.

Keeping the Celebration Going

I can drag out a birthday for a looong time. Down at the beach with my family. I was allowed to open a few gifts last night. (We're waiting for family and a cake on Friday night to finish.) I got an iHome alarm clock that also docks and plays my iPod, a digital photo frame, and some other fun goodies, including this frog ornament, which my sis and I pronounce "frawg." This drives my mom nuts.



That shirt I'm wearing is a "because I'm turning 30" justification.

30 & Fabulous

Is it wrong to call yourself fabulous? Oh well. Better I say it than no one at all. I've been using the excuse, "because I'm turning 30," all summer long. The official celebration began on August 22, however, with the cake Ryan made. Mmm. A roulade.



Saturday morning I ate leftover cake for breakfast. Then Katie C. took me to lunch, out for a mani and a little shopping, and then to Doodle's for ice cream. All in the pouring down rain. Thanks, Katie-bug!



Then on to Cantina for some fish tacos and those delicious cupcakes from Leah. Thanks to Katie B. and Leah for organizing. It was THE best!

Vacay

Surely you cannot expect me to function as much more than a slug while I'm at the beach? Happy Labor Day. See you next week.

Advertisement

If you know of anyone who needs a calligrapher for wedding invites, please click on Jamie's blog at right. She does a beautiful job!

Leah is Amazing!

These are the cupcakes Leah brought to my birthday party. Aren't they awesome? Thanks, Leah! More celebration pics to come!

Request

My aunt asks that someone send an ark to Merritt Island for them. This is their home down in Florida. Please keep my family in your prayers!

Cheers!

Thirty is going to be the best birthday year ever because it's going to be what *I* (and my fabulous friends & family) make of it!! Woo!

(Shhh. Don't tell Leah I found out that she's making me this cake. I think she wants it to be a surprise.)

Go Read This Post Today

From fellow blogger Lauren. And pay special attention to #8. It's my fave!

http://mcgiboney.blogspot.com/2008/08/10-commandments-of-college-football.html

(Will fix link after work.)

Blast From the Past

Everybody needs to indulge in a few fair rides now and then. Don't be afraid of the carnies. And eat something served on a stick.

Spinning Wheels

Have lots going on so I'm going to take a little blogcation till next week. (Unpaid, of course.) Ciao!

Class Pet

Okay. A kindergarten teacher at my sister's school has some fish in her classroom. And also this rat.

I'm sorry, did you think that was a typo?

Again. Also this RAT.

The first time I saw it, it freaked me the heck out. It's gross. Oh, and her plan is to let the rat roam around the classroom during the day. Just run around, like any ordinary pet. Except this is no ordinary pet. This isn't a puppy or a kitten.

It's a RAT. I cannot wrap my head around this.

That's like something most teachers would want to avoid, having a rat running around. Besides being disgusting, isn't that also a little distracting? Aren't five-year-olds going to be, uh, a little aprehensive about this. This isn't Fievel. It's a sewer rat! And as my coworker pointed out, didn't rats cause, like, the bubonic plague? See below.

My Wish Today

Is that I was riding this hot pink beach cruiser along a boardwalk. Ahhhh.

Click on Over

To Natalie's Notables. I'm the guest blogger for the Project Runway recap. Very honored to be chosen!

Just Add Popcorn

What? You don't carry your own seat cover to the movie theater and duct tape it to stay put?

The Very Definition of Frumpy

Who let this old lady leave the house like this? My sister snapped her photo at the Miss Georgia pageant.

Love My Kenny

But I've never seen his legs, really, till now. He's always suited up in his painted-on jeans. Kenny has nice legs. Please, someone give me KC for my birthday. When we get married, I'll totally write you a big check. Out of his account.

I'd Break My Neck

But someone else needs to get these cool orange shoes. Yum. Brooke, I nominate you.

Whooo Wants Cool Stuff?

My friend has an awesome letterpress business, and today I was looking around his site and came across these cool cards. The business is Night Owl Paper Goods, and most of y'all know I totally spotted the owl trend last year. Now I'm obsessed with (cute) owl products. I mean, hello? Aren't these adorable? Go buy some for yourself.

Ummmm

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has issued a detailed list of inappropriate behaviors for priests, saying they should not kiss, tickle or wrestle children.

The newest version of the archdiocese's Decree on Child Protection also prohibits bear hugs, lap-sitting and piggyback rides.

But it says priests may still shake children's hands, pat them on the back and give high-fives.

Duh-huh.

This should probably go without saying. For anyone, really, unless you are that child's parent.

One Sweet Day...

We can only dream of the day that Mariah awakens and remembers that it's not 1992 anymore. What up with the wack outfits, Mimi?

Big "Deal"

It's pretty bad that filling up on $3.58 per gallon gas sets my heart aflutter these days, isn't it?

So Wrong

My friend Jamie sent me this photo today. I'm going to give Mark a break because he obviously made some soldier's day. ha ha.

Dear Birthday Fairy (Again)

If you aren't P, you don't have to read this.



My very favorite store, Cherry Pie, now has an online store. And I've found this. It's Tulle, which you know I love. Yum.

And this is lovely for fall, so long as UGA isn't playing Tennessee. Or Florida. Or Auburn.

Cracking Up

Not mentally, sick readers. No, no, I'm laughing. I linked from place to place today until I found this article. It didn't speak to me, really, except for this line, which gave me a tears-in-my-eyes laugh.

"Calling me fat isn't going to make me cry because, frankly, I have a mirror in my bedroom, honey, I know what my ass looks like and I've made my peace with that—and it gives me a great piece of insight into your body-consciousness."

Overheard

During the previews for Mamma Mia today, I heard the three old ladies sitting behind us have this conversation after a run of particularly horrid trailers.

#1: Is Hollywood going broke or something?

#2: I don't know what their problem is.

#3: They've lost their minds, I tell you what.

Surprisingly (to me) there were quite a few old folks at the movie. I know Mamma Mia is a musical, but the storyline is not exactly wholesome.

O.M.G.

Look at these. For your walls. Be still my heart. Available here.





















(photo courtesy http://mynottinghill.blogspot.com)

Something's Wrong

At Starbucks:
tall nonfat, sugar-free caramel latte: $3.41

At Chick-fil-A:
4-piece chicken nugget kid's meal with fries, small drink, and toy (which can be returned for free ice cream): $3.01

My Cool Souvenir

Even though last night was Zach's birthday, I scored big-time. My dad went to a private meet-and-greet with Mark Richt the other night. I really wanted something autographed—preferably a helmet—and my dad totally delivered. He paid out the nose for a mini helmet that Coach Richt personalized. Everyone else got a "Go Dawgs, Mark Richt," but mine says, "Steph, Go Dawgs, Mark Richt." Like we're buds. And the coolest part? My dad didn't try to make it a birthday gift, which he totally could have. Woo!

(Disclaimer: The photo stinks, sorry. The helmet is shiny, and I can't get good light!)

Birthday: Over

So Zach's turn ended last night. We got a lovely (and, okay, a teeny bit cheesy. But, look! Ladder 23. Get it? Because he's twenty-three?) cake that was career appropriate, and Zach didn't even get that agitated with all the hoopla. (Probably because he pocketed about a million dollars in gift cards.) We got a good five pictures out of him before he said, "That's enough." It's tough being in demand. I like this one of the two of us. I can't believe he got that close to me without twitching.

Anyway, enough about that. Now it's August, and we all know what that means: It's my birthday MONTH. Oh yeah. I've been buying myself treats for a while now because "I'm about to turn 30." Only 22 days left to do so!

Annoyance #998

When people have peeling stickers on their cars, especially those from colleges. People, it costs $1.49 to replace them. The economy isn't that bad. Can I get an amen?
(You probably can't tell here, but this sticker has some major peel going on. Taken in line at Starbucks in Montgomery last night.)

Risking My Life for the Blog

I almost ran over this truck trying to drive down I-65 and snap this photo. It's something that annoys me: whenever people remove the "OTA" from Toyota so that their trucks read "TOY." It's stupid. I hope you can see it when you click on the picture. Either way, I wanted you all to see what a dedicated blogger I am. I almost died.

I Ain't Skerred

I'm embracing 30! Look at my cool countdown clock.

Dear Birthday Fairy

I'm going to need the Kate Spade calendar again, version 2009.

(photo courtesy www.fredflare.com)

Tight Rolls Are a No-No

Please, please don't let this trend come back. Ever. Gah. The time it took to get the perfect tight roll on my jeans. And, hello, Katie, you didn't achieve it here! The rolls aren't tight! That's, like, a huge faux pas in the tight-rollin' world. Duh.

Go Away, Jessica

I'm so sick of Jessica Simpson. She's reinvented herself as a country music artist, fine, whatever. Gone is the glam Simpson of the past, now we just have sweet ol' I'm-just-like-you Texas Jess, and it seems she's traded D&G for every plaid flannel shirt and big belt buckle on the West coast. (Who knew there could be so many?) She's just...so fake. And, anyway, y'all know I'm Team Lachey all the way. So, boo, Jess. I don't like your stupid new single, and I'm not listening to you on country radio.

Side note: She says Tony Romo is the first person she "spiritually connects with." WHAT does this mean, and why do stars keep saying it? OH! And she sings a song about abuse. She "doesn't want to talk about it" but she's definitely experienced it. Huh? I am so annoyed with her today.

UPDATE: See? I told you. People are tired of it. Read Jolie's post: http://jolienadine.com/blog/.

Happy Birthday, Little Zach

Shhh. Don't tell my brother he's on the blog. It annoys him. But today he's 23.

Sweltering

I felt like Petal looks after our walk in the steamy heat the other night. Pooped. I wish it was October!

Baby, Baby, Suck Your Thumb

I can't stand Urban Meyer. The man's face always looks like he has a corn cob stuck up his butt. And he's still whining about Georgia's touchdown dance last year. See it here. The TD dance for which UGA was justly punished and for which Coach Mark Richt has apologized repeatedly, to Urban personally and in a letter to the SEC. And again during SEC Media Days in Birmingham. Sheesh, Urb, bitter much? Even Tim Tebow was classy about it, and you guys know (or maybe you don't) there's no love lost between me and Timmy. Boo. But I do think Coach Richt summed it up quite nicely with this:

"I don't think there's any doubt it's intensified the rivalry," Richt said of last season's controversy. "But what really intensified the rivalry is that we won—OK?"

Okay then.

I'm just gonna keep practicing my Superman dance for the fall.

And read my favorite column about the incident here. For once, someone at the AJC took UGA's side.