Highlights from the Holidays

I had a wonderful Christmas down in San Diego with the family. Last Christmas I was in Canada with Bret's family which was a great trip. This year, Bret came down to San Diego to be with me for Chirstmas. Those are both firsts. Spending the holidays with my boyfriend's family and a boyfriend spending the holidays with my family. Bret had met my family members before, but this was the first holiday he spent with us. It was nothing like the movie "Meet the Parents" thank goodness. The only thing I was really worried about was my Grandmother.

Nanny, as we call her, has trouble accepting Bret's beard and long hair. The first time I showed her Bret's picture, she gasped at how much hair he had. She made several small comments to me, so the first time they met I was concerned about what she would say to him about it. She was good up until we were leaving. She says to him, "How does Kristin know you under all that hair, dear?" I explained how it doesn't matter about his beard or hair and how I liked it, etc... She kept going, "Couldn't you just show her a picture of you without the hair"? Bret pulls out his college ID where he has short hair and no beard. BTW, when I look at this picture I can barely recognize Bret. She looks at the picture and lets out this huge sigh of relief and says, "Ohhhhahaha, you are handsome". That gave us quite a chuckle and we can't help but tell this story to all of our friends. Bret's parents love this story as well. She did bring all of this up again at Christmas dinner, but Bret handles her so well. I think she likes him.

Here are some holiday highlights:

• Spent lots of time with Mom and Geoff. We played games, went to Coronodo, rented bikes and had fun.


• Had a great time at Christmas dinner and got to see my two Aunts and Uncle who I hadn't seen in a long time.


• Got to see cousin Tyler who's going to have a baby next year. He is the youngest cousin (out of 4) and the first to have a baby. I'm so excited for him. It was good to see him and talk to him about everything. He told me that Geoff and I are like his brother and sister so he would like us to be the kid's aunt and uncle. Isn't that the sweetest? The baby is due in July.


• Mom let me have/borrow her ring from Grandad that has a star sapphire in the middle. I love star sapphires. I can't stop looking at the star when in the light. I'm thinking of it as my Northern star that is going to lead me to my dreams in the new year.


• Nanny loaned Bret her ukulele. Bret received one from Howard for his birthday and played it on Christmas. Nanny loaned Bret her book of Hawaiin music and threw in the ukulele as well. I'm thinking about attempting to learn how to play. For some reason I think it's going to be easier than guitar because it's so little. At least it will be easier to hold.


• We're getting kittens!! Read about and see pictures at Marya's blog. Marya is going to keep them while I still have Momma. I'm hoping Momma will be like a surrogate mother to the kittens, but who knows. We're not sure what's going to happen with the distribution of the kittens. Even though Marya doesn't want two cats, I want to leave it open in case she gets attached to both and we decide they shouldn't be separated. She doesn't want to force the kitten on me. We'll see. Either way, I'm soooo excited!! They are arriving in January. I can't wait!!

  ¶ 6:20 PM

  Duck and Cover?

I was sitting at work chatting online with Shoshi when the floor and building started shaking. I didn't have any thoughts except for "get out of the building". I was so scared!!! I started running for the front door and Jeremiah stopped me and pulled me into the door jam of the design office. After the 30 second (but what felt like 5 minute) quake was over my whole body was shaking. Bret came over and gave me a hug and I was just shaking all over. I went to type Shoshi what had happened and I could barely type. This was the first Earthquake I've really been through. All the rest were at night and I think I slept through them. The Earthquake clocked in at 6.5 and the epicenter was in Cambria. If you want more facts and information, see Marya's blog.

I think I won the award for being the most freaked out at work. Jeremiah has a good impression of me running to the door. I guess I didn't learn anything in all the years at school when we had duck and cover drills. My first instinct was to run out the door.

I'm very thankful that everyone I know is ok and not very much damage was done to anyone's houses. Paso was hit hard and all those that were affected by this quake are in my thoughts. I'm hoping the next Earthquake I will remember what to do.

  ¶ 5:53 PM

  Purple Chair

I moved into the purple chair!! So nice and comfy!! And I'm near the power outlet.   ¶ 8:38 AM

  Maid of Honor

That's me!!! I'm a Maid of Honor. I am so honored and excited. My best friend, Pudah is engaged. She got engaged last Friday night. Her finance, Bob, asked her to marry her at her holiday Christmas party at the Hotel del Coronado. Her parents, brother and sister in law were there to celebrate the big night as well. I guess Bob had this planned out for 6 weeks. Of course my friend is so excited. She's already started to think of all the details and started looking for dress ideas on line. As Bret and I were heading down to San Diego on Tuesday for our HP business trip on Wednesday it hit me. If I don't go dress shopping with her now, by the time I make it down to go shopping with her in a few months, the dress will already be picked out and I'll miss out on the bridal dress shopping experience. So, I made a spur of the moment decision and decided to stay in SD and work in Starbucky's and go dress shopping with my friend. I mean, I need to think about my maid of honor duties. This is the only time in my life I will be a maid of honor.

I'm actually going to be in two weddings next year. Krissy hasn't set a date yet, but I have told her about a million times it can't be on September 18. This is Tizzy's wedding. She is getting married in Tahoe and I'm a bridesmaid. Now I have lots of incentive to loose weight and nine months to do it. Diet starts tomorrow.... wait... Monday. Oh man, this is why I never loose weight.

So, yesterday I got the wireless thing all figured out and called into a conference call. I felt so cool working in Starbucks. This didn't last too long. Starbucks is playing loud Christmas music and the sound of espresso machines and workers calling out coffees could be heard by all members of the conference call. Doh!!! So, I decided to go outside. This was quite a site - Kristin trying to hold the little cell phone between my shouldar and ear, picking up my heavy lap top and putting it in my bag and trying to gather all the cords and papers at the same time as I was trying to talk and take notes. I made it outside successfully and then the loud jets flew overhead. I couldn't hear a thing!! I finally made it to the car and found I still had Internet connection in the car. Then it started raining. So much for the virtual office. I'm in a different Starbucks today using my 24 hours of T Mobile access. Right now I'm debating if I should move into the plushy purple velvet chair in the corner that just opened up.   ¶ 8:35 AM