.Tangerine trees and marmalade skies.

I always miss my family, especially around holidays and birthdays. This year was no exception. Remembering all the good, silly times we've had makes it easier being away from them.

I missed yesterdays blog due to celebrating my birthday in Temecula with some of the greatest people ever! So lucky you, I'm going to do two days in one.

I finally got my lazy butt to the gym today! I'm so proud of myself. I did the body pump class. For those of you who don't know what body pump is, "BODYPUMP is the original barbell class that strengthens your entire body. This 60-minute workout challenges all your major muscle groups by using the best weight-room exercises like squats, presses, lifts and curls". Believe me, it's a work out! I was sweating within the first 5 minutes of the class. I'm starting to get sore now, but I know it'll be 10 times worse tomorrow! I plan on going back tomorrow to do the class again.

The Mister and I drove up to Oxnard this afternoon to buy our friends patio furniture. We got a very nice 6 seater table and chairs, a lovely chimnea and a hammock! Our house is almost complete! We will be picking up a mattress from Anthony's cousin in Costa Mesa for our spare bedroom and we will be done!

Day 9

A picture of the who has gotten you through the most

My Julie has gotten me through so much over the years. I can call her at midnight and say I needed her and she would be there... And she has! She drove 3 hours to Oxnard to be with me when Anthony left for his first mission.

Day 10

A picture with the person you do the most **** up things with

I had a hard time with this one! I picked Lindsay because we do the most random things together and have a dirty sense of humor :)

.I am he as you are he.

Today's survey question had me looking at old photo's once again, and I found this treasure! My dad took me and a friend to meet the Navy Sea Lions. I had so much fun! This was the only time I ever dyed my hair dark.

Today was quite a productive day. I got our house all put together and dinner in the crock pot all before 11 AM then went to help my bestie move into her new apartment. We did some Ikea shopping and assembling and got the kitchen all put away! We got lucky with the weather. It's supposed to rain yet again tomorrow!

It was my other bestie's last day at an awful job today! I'm so happy for her. It's scary putting yourself into a situation where you don't know what's going to happen. I'm very proud of her for doing it! We both applied for a promotions job tonight. I hope we get it and are able to work together!

Day 8

A picture that makes you laugh

Just look at us! How can you not laugh at this!

That's all for today folks. Until next time!
~ T. Don

.Well I guess this is growing up.

Anthony thinks this photo pretty much sums up our relationship!

I got to meet my childhood crush today! My doctor completely embarrassed me in front of him, but he was super cool :). I'm glad I spent the extra time this morning to do my hair!

This week has not been very productive for me and my work out goals. First it was my back, and now my stomach has turned on me. I can't wait to finally feel better. There is a class at the gym I'm really excited to try. This bliss fat I've acquired since the wedding needs to go away!

Day 7

A picture of your most treasured item

I treasure this ring more than anything! Not just the sparkly beauty of it, but the love it represents. 

That's all for today folks. Until next time!

~ T. Don 

.Ob-la-di Ob-la-da, life goes on.

If turning 26 wasn't going to kill me, it was going to make me stronger! Literally! My hubby and one of my besties took me to the Solid Rock Gym last night. It's been months since I've been last, so my muscles are yelling at me today! I'm really not good at rock climbing, but it's a challenge and I love it! I can see improvements not just in my strength each time I go, but in my courage! I can get a little further each time :). This photo was taken at Vertical Heaven in Ventura, back when I was going a little more regularly :). 

On a side note, there is a good possibility I may meet one of my childhood crushes tomorrow at work! I don't want to jinx it, but a band member from one of my favorite groups may bring his kid in. I hope I don't make a fool out of myself! I'm going to get up a little early so I can do my hair in a nice ponytail, just in case! Haha! I'm a dork, I know :)

Day 6

A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Sir Paul McCartney

I love him! To know what he knows, have a glimpse into his musical genius, I think it would be marvelous!

I saw him live last year at the Hollywood Bowl. This man is in his 60's, and he killed it! Hands down, the most amazing concert I've ever been to :)

That's all for now folks! Until next time :)

~ T. Don 

.You say it's your birthday. We're gonna have a good time.

The dreaded day has finally come... I am now officially in my late-mid 20's! Not so sure quite yet how I feel about turning 26. I'll let you know when it hits me! This picture is from last years birthday. Some girlfriends and I went to LA to celebrate my quarter life crisis. You know it was a good night when there is photo evidence of you laying on Hollywood Blvd (EWWWWW!!!) next to The Door's star on the walk of fame! In Julie's words "I didn't even know you liked the Doors!". It was an epic night!

This year will be much calmer! My hubby got me rock climbing shoes as my birthday gift and we are going to the Solid Rock gym for some long over due rock climbing fun! The shoes are super cute. Well as cute as rock climbing shoes can be. They're purple :). I can't wait to break them in! Saturday we are going to Temecula for some wine tasting at my 2 favorite spots, Ponte and South Coast.

My lower back started bothering me yesterday. I caught it early so it didn't completely spasm, but it was tight and very sore all day. A friend recommended some yoga poses, and wouldn't you know, they helped! I've been doing them this morning as well and they have relieved some of the tension. My profession is notorious for back problems. My bad ergonomic tendencies are finally catching up to me!

I guess turning 26 isn't all bad! I have a loving husband, a nice home, a good job, the greatest friends in the world... The best part is I am finally comfortable with ME. I definitely would not want to be 18 again, or 21 for that matter! I have learned from my mistakes (and will continue to do so!) and have grown from them. I have learned to take time to smell the roses, to enjoy a good meal, to sip (rather than gulp!) good wine. Life is not a race! Appreciate the little things! I saw a full rainbow the other day when the mister sent me to Home Depot in the rain! I was cursing him as I ran to my car in a downpour, looked up and saw it :). There needs to be rain to see a rainbow.

Day 5

A picture of your favorite memory

It might be a little chiche that your wedding is your favorite memory, but this very second is my absolute favorite memory! Mr. Johnson had just pronounced us husband and wife. All of the crazy planning, having to change our date 3 times, the chiefs induction, everything that we went through to get to this point melted away. Nothing else mattered. We were finally married! This was the moment we became each others family.  

Well folks, time to get ready for work. Until next time!

~ T. Don

.I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends.

Lady Bird Lake in Austin Texas.

We rented bikes and rode around the Lake, a good 10 miles!

The last few days have reminded me just how much I love being in San Diego! The Mister and I have gotten to spend time with some old friends and even his cousin! We have some new favorite spots now too! The Whistle Stop in South Park has an awesome 80's vs 90's night. Vin de Syrah on 5th Ave Downtown is an awesome Alice in Wonderland themed wine bar. The meat and cheese plate is a little expensive, but it is fantastic! We went on a Sunday night so it was nice and quiet, but I hear it can get pretty crazy on Friday and Saturday nights.

Day 4

A picture from your favorite night

Julie's 21st birthday. This is where it all started! This is when we became besties :). So much happened in the hour and a half we celebrated Julie's 21st! I love being back in SD and spending more time with them! Not just rushed lunches half way or a day half spent driving to see each other. There have been many more epic nights since this, but this is where it began and that's why it is my favorite!

Happy President's day folks! Until next time!

~ T. Don

.There beneath the blue suburban skies.

The skies are blue once again in San Diego! It actually hailed last night! The Mister was a rock star and finished the garden despite the unfavorable weather. He enlisted the help of a neighbor kid to get it done because I wouldn't work in the rain!

Day 3

A picture of your favorite show

I love this show!

Short post today. I woke up with a headache :(. Until next time folks!

~T. Don

.Strawberry Fields Forever.

Kumumota, Japan February 2006

I love this old picture of me and my hubby! This was halfway through my first deployment as a military girlfriend. We had the best time touring the beautiful Japanese Tea Gardens, the Palace and a Samurai House. Today's survey question had me looking through old photos and I found this one so I thought I'd share :). 

Yesterday was a stormy day here in SoCal. The perfect kind of day to stay home and be lazy! The rain has let up, at least for a little bit, so the hubster is going to try to finish up the garden. (On a side note, I got the topsy turvey strawberry planter as a shower gift (Thanks Diane!!) and I already have 1 strawberry :). We planted 15, so hopefully we will have an abundance of fresh strawberries this year!) I am still new to the whole gardening process, but I love it! Anthony was on mission last year when all of our plants started maturing so I'm excited to be able to experience it again with him here.

Day 2

A picture of you and the person you've been closest to the longest

I love this old photo of me and my bestie Jessie! We have been friends since we were 12 years old... We're pushing 14 years of friendship here people! For a navy brat, that's not something that we can usually say. We have shared may momentous life events together. When she got tickets to see Savage Garden, she took me with her (that's a big deal, believe me!), we traveled to Europe together, she stood with me at my wedding as my Maid of Honor. I don't know what I'd do with out this girl!

The skies have decided to open up and start raining (well sprinkle) on us again. We shall see how far we get in the garden! Until next time folks!

~ T. Don

They call me "Ray of Sunshine"

Welcome! I've been considering starting a blog for our family and friends whom we live so far away from for some time now.  Facebook is nice for instant chats and quick glimpses into whats going on, but I thought this would be nice for a more intimate look into whats going on in our lives.

We are finally settled in to our new home in San Diego!

Every day we are here I am thankful to be back in my home town. It is so exciting for me to experience San Diego with a new perspective. I am working for a Pediatric Dentist in La Jolla 3 days a week (woo hoo for part time!!!!) and really liking the office. We have a great team and patients which makes work enjoyable. I feel that life is too short to spend most of your day in a job you don't like. I am so lucky to have found an office I really enjoy being at. 

Anthony is finally back at work. His group is out on a boat right now doing whatever it that they do. Luckilly for me, he didn't have to go for this one! He has been working hard to get our garden all set up. He does all the hard set up work and I get to do all the fun stuff like watering and harvesting!

My cousins are doing a survey on FB called My 30 Days. I thought it would be fun to do on here to make me write a little bit each day. Here it goes!

Day 1

A picture of yourself with 10 facts

1. I LOVE to travel. It doesn't matter where. I just love to go to new places! 
2. I am learning to be a part time housewife. This includes cooking on a regular basis and keeping the house clean. What a concept huh! My hubby is loving it :)
3. I want another tattoo, but the memory of how bad the last one hurt is making me not do it!
4. I can talk myself out of anything... It's my biggest flaw.
5. I'm trying to lose the "bliss fat" I've gained since our wedding.
6. I love not having cable, but would not survive without Netflix instant queue.
7. I have the bestest besties anyone could ever ask for! I would do anything for them and I know they would do the same for me :). 
8. Wine Divas.... Enough said!
9. I love to hike.
10. One day, I WILL run/jog/walk a marathon! I don't care if I crawl across the finish line, I WILL do it

Well there it is folks! My fisrt blog. Time to tend to my house wife duties! Until next time :)

~ T. Don