Merry Christmas from Santee!!

Waiting for Roger to catch up.

It's been a while since we have posted an entry.  Just nothing to "write home" about.  We were staying in the park and trying not to go anywhere near the stores or main traffic areas, so it's been rather quiet on our part.  We've enjoyed some warmer weather (although it starts out cold first thing in the morning, the afternoons are wonderful!) and lots of walks. We start out with long sleeves on our morning exercise walk, and most days even sweatshirts but with sun hats!  By the time we are on the return leg of the journey, I've got my sweatshirt wrapped around my waist and Maggie has her tongue hanging out!  We did go off "campus" one day this week to get haircuts and a few groceries and it was a mad house!  The haircuts were partially successful (she got mine a wee bit too short) and, as always, we bought more food than we intended!  We did go to the library and pick up some DVDs to watch and discovered a cupcake shop two doors down. Oh, my, oh my, were they good!!!  We have books and DVDs to return soon and I think another visit to the cupcake shop will probably happen.

Neither of us really knew what to expect as to how we would feel about not being in Reno on Christmas Eve.  For the last 26 years we have celebrated the evening with our oldest, Mike, and his kids. A few times our other kids, Pam and Andy, joined us but it wasn't often due to distances and time off not being available.   We missed Cookie Day this year and our get together on Christmas Eve.  Well, it was OK!  We had our moments but overall we did well. Stephanie sent pictures of the cookies (and mess) that were baked last Sunday; then last night we were able to FaceTime (Apple's Skype) with them as they opened their gifts from us.  It was fun!!  We were a little sad to miss things but very happy to see our traditions (cookie day and apricot/walnut balls for Christmas Eve dinner) were carried on!   We also got to FaceTime with Pam and Ben in Colorado Springs as we opened our gifts from them and we had a long phone conversation with Andy and Pam in Pensacola.  We also talked with our sisters and so we connected with everyone! It was a very nice evening!!!

Christmas Day usually finds us on our own as the Reno group spends it with other family members so today wasn't so different for us. What was different was that we didn't go to a movie, but, instead we went to the beach!  

This morning Roger googled "dog friendly beaches in San Diego" and it seems almost all are listed as "dog friendly."  So, we picked one we had been to before in La Jolla and liked.  We packed up our beach umbrella, chairs, a blanket, water, a snack, sun hats and sweatshirts!  It was 79 degrees in Santee but we knew it would be cooler on the water. 
 

As I was packing up the truck Maggie decided she didn't want to be left so she climbed in and stayed there while we got ready to go.  I could not coax her out for anything!  We had no trouble finding the beach but had a rude awakening when we got there.  It was packed.  Wall to wall people.  I suspected that it might be the case when we were driving on the side streets of La Jolla.  It's an old town with very narrow streets, but with parking on both sides, leaving a small lane to drive in.  With our truck it was a treat - no way could two vehicles go down the street!  

Anyway, we got to the parking lot and did find a space without too much trouble but,  

it wasn't easy. We didn't unpack everything but figured we would do a recon mission first to figure out where we would go.  Good thing we did. 



It seems that, yes, the beaches are dog friendly, but only between 6pm and 9am!  Thus, no dogs allowed between 9am and 6pm! We were so informed by many signs and one very rude man!  So, back to the truck to regroup! 

Another google search led us to Mission Bay where there is a huge island (Fiesta Island) that is devoted to dogs.  The beach and a huge trail system are off leash areas for dogs!  The "beach" wasn't really a sandy beach - just dirt/sand - but there was water, birds, kayaks, canoes, and dogs!!  We pulled off the road and let Maggs wander.  It was a bit breezy and cool, but we enjoyed the afternoon out.  

Now we have a place we know we can take her and next time will probably try the trail system and do some hiking!  

For dinner Roger cooked salmon on the grill, we had some Trader Joe's butternut squash/spinach gratin, and fresh green beans. Then there was the pumpkin pie filling for dessert.  Yes, filling.  I attempted a pumpkin pie in the toaster oven yesterday.  It was semi-successful.  It took almost an hour and a half to "gel" and then the crust didn't cook on the bottom, so we have been eating the filling!!  I've decided that my 7 year old toaster oven needs to be replaced!!!  

All in all, a very nice holiday week!!  Hope you all had the same.