I’m already
feeling nostalgic about Christmas vacation … it feels like such a
long time ago. For your viewing pleasure, here is a brief
retrospective of my holiday …
My family at the December birthday party at my house. Aren’t my little sisters cute?
I’m the one in black sitting on the stairs. Mom hates having her
picture taken so this is somewhat rare to have a picture of everyone
together.
Toshi and I took an overnight
trip to Palm Springs. On the first day we shopped at Desert Hills
Outlet Mall and had dinner. The following day we drove by Elvis’
honeymoon house so Toshi could take pictures. It’s for sale, in
case you’re interested.
We took a trip on the Palm
Springs Aerial Tramway. It’s this little car suspended from a
cable that carries you from the desert floor to the top of a mountain
in about ten minutes, all the while revolving to give you 360 degree
views. I was quite proud that I made it through this little
anxiety attack waiting to happen without freaking out.
I’m afraid of heights, not to mention confined spaces, so that was quite a feat!
It was beautiful at the top
of the Aerial Tramway, but it was FREEZING! In ten minutes we had
gone from lovely 70 degree weather to about 30 degrees. We took a
very brief walk, and then went right back down the mountain.
If you’ve seen Rainman,
you’ll recognize these things. On roadtrips Toshi always makes me
take pictures from the car. This is a picture of those power
windmill things.
Toward the end of the holiday
we went to the Huntington Library and Gardens in Pasadena. It’s
one of my favorite spots. This is the entrance to the Japanese
garden.
A picture of the Japanese
garden. If you’ve seen Memoirs of a Geisha, this may look
familiar. Part of the movie was filmed here.
Me crossing a bridge in the
Japanese garden. We have many pictures of me in this pose.
I REALLY didn’t want my picture taken that day. (My skin was
experiencing a major catastrophe brought on by my experimentation with
Bare Minerals. I happen to be one of a few people who has a
horrible reaction to something in their formulation. It has been
three weeks and I’m still recovering.
) Anyway, Toshi kept calling to me and when I turned around, he would take my picture. 
“Come on! Would you stop taking pictures already!”
Entrance into the bamboo forest.
A butterfly that we chased around trying to get its picture.
We got suckered into using
our entrance fee toward the purchase of an annual membership, so since
it’s a gorgeous day here, I think we’re off for a walk and lunch at the
Huntington. ( I need to escape the cacaphony of Toshi singing
Ring of Fire and our neighbor’s trumpet practice. 
) We
figured that the price was much less than the price of a gym
membership, and I would much rather “work out” in the great outdoors
than in a room of sweaty people. Plus, we are supporting the
preservation of history and culture.
One last bonus pic, even
though this was taken before our vacation when I forced Toshi to take
me to Disneyland for my birthday. I look totally stupid, but I
think the picture is hilarious. Check out the intense
concentration!
Happy Saturday!
Poisoned by Fairy Tales 
nice family pics…i use to be kinda in awe of those that have families to share with …now i just am happy for those who have one and just see in love in friends around me…hope your day is good ❤
cool pics
That vacation looks like a blast …what gorgeous gardens! I’ve always wanted a zen garden with a huge reflecting pond. Someday!RYC: indeed, we seem to be on the same path. I really trusted this guy, hoped that we might be able to at least have fun together (which we did until then), but I won’t stand by and just let things like that happen. I haven’t seen or heard from him since I sent the blistering email, and he normally checks my site several times a day, so I know he’s hiding. Ugh!! He was good in bed too, darn it . Those are the hardest ones to give up!Hang in there – something makes us stay, don’t you agree? Maybe it’s going to be worth it in the end. It had better be!