Sunday, September 28, 2008

Whittier Stake 50th Anniversary

Today I went to a planning meeting for the Whittier Stake 50th Anniversary. We will be celebrating next year...April 23 - 26, 2009
If you are a former member of the stake and want information on this huge celebration go to:
The celebration will begin with a special temple day on April 23rd
An anniversary (Gold & Green) Ball on April 24th
A huge picnic and Celebration program on April 25th
And a combined stake Sacrament Meeting, Linger Longer, and Fireside on April 26th
They will be putting together a special anniversary reunion choir that will provide the music for Sunday's Sacrament Meeting. If you've ever sung in a Whittier Stake Choir....you must come and sing!
Mark your calendars now and plan to attend!
It should be a smashing good time!
April 23 - 26, 2009

Friday, September 26, 2008

Powerful!

I was trying to think of something to blog about and then I received this link via an e-mail.

Please go to this site and watch this video!
www.CatholicVote.com

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

It's 4:58 a.m. "Da Mudder" has already been picked up for dialysis. We will leave for the Long Beach airport in 30 minutes. Eddie is going to Heber, UT to winterize and close-up the cabin for the year. Eddie has come down with his "changing of the seasons" cold. He feels miserable and I wish he didn't have to go. I should be back from the airport before Mom's home from dialysis and then we'll have a 3 hour wait til she goes to the hospital for her "procedure"! She has to be at admitting by 11:30 a.m. and the "Procedure" is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. I'm guessing if they let her come home, she'll be home around 7:00 p.m. tonight. It's a good thing I bought a few new books at Deseret Book when we were in St. George over the weekend. I just can't decide which one to read first! I think I'll go with Recovering Charles by Jason Wright. I'll let you know how good it is. I just might be able to read it all today! So...I need to go light a fire under Eddie to get him packed. Have a great day!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

The Great Escape!

Thursday, our day began with running to Long Beach to pick up my sister at the airport. She was coming to visit/take care of Mom! And give me a break. When we picked Betty up at the airport, we also picked up a rental car. We came back home, made sure everything was good to go and Eddie and I took off for.....St. George, UTAH!
The sky was such a pretty blue as we drove up the Cajon Pass! It was so nice to breath clean air!
We stayed at our favorite place in St. George! (Other than Julie's and the Seven Wives Inn!)
We love the Jaccuzi suite!!!! As soon as we checked-in, Eddie went to bring all our stuff in and he came in the room to find me sitting in the jacuzzi!!!! (just like this!)
It's the best!!! I took some pictures of our suite! It has two rooms. Two TVs. Two bathrooms!
One large juccuzi and a large shower too!!!
A fridge and microwave! All the comforts of home! This is our comfy bed! (after we slept in it!) This is looking into the big bathroom from the bed!
This is the room you enter when you open the door! It's cozy. We had friends over Thursday night after eating dinner at Samari 21!!! De-li-cious!
This is the other end of the room. The door, the bar with the fridge and there's a microwave there too behind the cupboard door! The little bathroom is on the left and a closet is on the right! There are extra blankets and pillows and the ironing board in this closet!
We were in room 303 this time. This is the view of the pool from our room. We've never been in it! We have jacuzzi in the room!!!!
Friday morning, we woke up and Eddie realized he didn't bring a white shirt or tie! Fortunately, Walmart is open 24 hours! We went and got him a shirt and tie and then we went to the 8:40 a.m. temple session!
After that, we were starving so we went to
which is right across the street from the Garden Inn! This is what Eddie had for "brunch"!
They didn't give him the little apple raisin bread thingy! I did eat his fried apples and his hashbrown casserole, because they put onions in it! I ordered their delicious french toast!!!! Yum-Yum!
After "brunch", we went to the hotel and changed clothes and then Eddie dropped me off at
for 3 hours of pampering!
A massage, facial and pedicure! It was a wonderful 3 hours!
Eddie picked me up and we went back to the hotel to wait for Julie and Bobby to get off work so we could eat! They were gonna cook for us, but were too tired! I was happy, cuz we wanted to go out and have steak! So we went to.....
The rolls and cinnamon-honey butter are to die for!!!!
Eddie got the ribs and I got the Dallas filet and we shared!!!
DE-LI-CIOUS!
After dinner, Bobby took us way out of town, where there weren't any lights and we waited for the Space Station to fly by! Eddie loves doing this!! It's the only thing besides spider solitaire he can find on the computer! There were so many stars out! The big and little dipper were right there where you could almost reach out and touch 'em!
Then we went back to our hotel. We were leaving in the morning and we needed some sleep!
We got up around 7 a.m. and drove over to Harmon's. They were having their annual case-lot sale! So we stocked up on some food! We bought a case of canned butter!!! We're gonna open one up and try it. It comes from New Zealand via the Los Angeles harbor! Eddie keeps cracking up that we brought it back to L.A.! Julie ended up meeting us at the store so she could stock up on some stuff too. She then went with us to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Bobby stopped by to bring us General Authority cards Julie made for me! We met Bobby this weekend! She's hilarious!!!! We had such a good time with her and Julie! We kept telling them they need to roadtrip to CA! And they do!!!!!
We went to our favorite gas station and filled the tank up!
Yes, gas is more expensive in St. George than Pico Rivera!
We stopped at State Line to take a potty break and then we stopped for lunch in Baker!
The giant thermometer said it was 89 degrees!
We got home around 3:00 p.m. Just in time to get ready for the ward potluck.
It was a crazy couple of days. Friday was full from start to finish and it was just what I needed!
I did miss reading blogs...sort of! Okay I really didn't! But now I have to catch up!!!!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

I know...I'm nuts!

So....not like I have all the time in the world to spend on the computer....but as of late I have been here a bit too much. Well, the other night I got some bizarre ideas and now I suppose the time has come to share with all of you....my new adventures. I have started 3 other blogs! Too many! Yes, but now I can...I was going to use a big word, but I'm too tired to figure out how to spell it!...I can put my thoughts or ideas in their own organized spaces!!! So...if you like reading blogs, as I do, check out my new blogs! One is only going to be updated weekly. One will be updated whenever I find a new quote I like and the other will be updated daily, but probably at night.

Here are the addresses:
http://prophetseersnrevelator.blogspot.com
http://kindrandomacts.blogspot.com
http://thanksgivingdaily.blogspot.com

Just my little way of adding some positive, good, and happy blogs to the universe!
Let me know what you think! I love comments!

Sandy

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The Big News!

So on Sunday, the Stake Presidency came to our ward during the 3rd hour. I got to go to the Elder's Quorum!!! Eddie was sustained and set-apart as the Elder's Quorum President. It has been a long few weeks! Eddie received the call on July 29th. (The same day as the last earthquake here! Eddie said it was old 4th Warders turning over in their graves!)
It has been a very long 47 days! In some ways it's been a good thing, teaching us patience, (I still haven't learned that one!) It's given Eddie some time to get used to the idea. He felt so incredibly overwhelmed by the call, but I think he's doing better now. He just needs to get a 2nd counselor and then he'll be running! Woo Hoo!
It's an exciting time watching him grow and improve! It's almost like role reversal, which is a good thing!!! He make get a little more comfortable speaking in front of people and giving lessons. He's done quite a few since the former Elder's Quorum President moved. Now he has the authority and the blessings that come with it and he's already surprising me with his dedication. He's always been dedicated and service oriented, but he's the one now saying..."we need to read a chapter!" Eddie Plummer! Who is this?!!!! I tease him all the time.
Keep us in your prayers! I'll keep you posted on all the adventures of the Elder's Quorum!

Friday, September 12, 2008

T.G.I.F.

Friday is finally here!
For reasons I cannot yet devulge...I'm so glad Friday is here!
Of course, as always, life doesn't go the way you plan it...
"Da Mudder" has to go to the hospital today.
Her access is clogged AGAIN!
So, that makes for an exciting day!
It lightens my load on one hand, because she can't eat,
But then I get to spend most of the day at the hospital,
Which wasn't part of my plan!
Oh well....I'll try and
Be of Good Cheer!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry
Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below
Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Alan Jackson

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Keys


How important are keys?

Pretty important if you're locked out of a house, or a car or anyplace that is locked!

Keys come in all shapes and sizes. You can make copies of keys. You can hide keys. You can lose keys.

They are so very important.

Keys open doors....Start cars... Protect valuables.....unlock the powers of heaven!


Keys are a good thing to have, a good thing to hold onto, a good thing to protect, a good thing not to lose!


Hold onto your keys!!!

Monday, September 8, 2008

A Question....

Is this our Title of Liberty?
"...In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom,
and our peace, our wives, and our children..." Alma 46:12

Friday, September 5, 2008

Political Ramblings

I learned when I was very young not to discuss politics with just about anyone.

So...why am I choosing now to ramble about them...I don't know...boredom...it's all over the news.....A few blogs ago I briefly blogged about Sarah Palin....without really blogging...just a quote. So, now why an entire political blog....well...comments that have been made....the daily bombardment of the news...can't think of anything else to ramble on about....you pick!

So...with Nov. 4th looming our way....not only do I have national political stuff to deal with, but I have state and city as well.

Uncle Arnold wants to increase taxes by a penny! I don't even know if that's on the ballot...I just know it was on the news today. My city wants to increase my taxes by a penny! Quite franlky. I don't think either deserve my two-cents worth!!!!

It's time for a Boston tea party if you asked me. We are taxed to death and what do we have to show for it? Sure...things could be worse....we might find out just how worse in a few weeks.

If you remember a few months ago I got a few hours notice to teach Sunday School. The lesson was Alma 13-16. I thought it was a very timely lesson. It describes our day, especially here in California. If you go back to Alma 8 and keep reading you get the whole story. The people of Ammonihah were very wicked. They rejected Alma, so he left. An angel told him to go back and to find Amulek, a righteous man, who would feed him and assist him in the work. The people wouldn't listen to Alma or Amulek. Amulek told them: "...O ye wicked and perverse generation, ye lawyers and hypocrites, for ye are laying the foundations of the devil; for ye are laying traps and snares to catch the holy ones of God. ye are laying plans to pervert the ways of the righteous, and to bring down the wrath of God upon your heads, even to the utter destruction of this people." Alma 10:17-18 Amulek goes onto remind the people of the counsel that King Mosiah had given them when the kingdom was about to be governed by we the people "...yea, well did he say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall inot transgression, they would be ripe for destruction. And now I say unto you that well doth the Lord judge of your iniquities; well doth he cry unto this people by the voice of his angels:...I will come down among my people, with equity and justice in my hands. Yea, and I say unto you that if it were not for the prayers of the righteous, who are now in the land, that ye would even now be visited with utter destruction; yet it would not be by flood,...but it would be by famine, and by pestilence, and the sword. But it is by the prayers of the righteous that ye are spared; now therefore, if ye will cast out the righteous from among you then will not the Lord stay his hand; but in his fierce anger he will come out against you; then ye shall be smitten by famine, and by pestilence, and by the sword; and the time is soon at hand except ye repent." Alma 10:19- 23

"And now behold I say unto you, that the foundation of the destruction of this people is beginning to be laid by the unrighteousness of your lawyers and your judges." Alma 10:27

That is what's going on in California at this very time. As the story goes on, the bulk of the people revile against Alma and Amulek, the people that do believe on their words and repent, are thrown into a fire and burned...with their scriptures. You might think, that something like that could never happen in this day and age...but just watch and see.

California's Proposition 8 contains 14 words..."Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." The same 14 words that 61% of "we the people" of California already voted on in November 2000, but 4 Judges decided they know better than "we the people." If those 14 words do not become part of the California Constitution, the foundation for destruction will be in place and news commentators can mock all they want. They already have. The day same sex marriages became legal in the state, news commentators sarcastically noted, that California hadn't fallen into the ocean! (side note: While serving my mission in PA, people would find out I was from CA and seriously tell me CA was going to fall into the ocean! maybe they were right?)

At the end of that Sunday School lesson I read the first and the last paragraph from,

The Family a Proclamation to the World

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children....
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."
This was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley back in September 1995; thirteen short years ago. Just like the people of Ammonihah...the world has been warned by a Prophet of God. Will we continue to ignore him? Will we stand for truth and righteousness or will we bow to the pressures of an unrighteous society? I am far from perfect, but when a prophet speaks, I hope I will listen and go and do what I'm being asked to do.

There was a quote from that Sunday School lesson I gave from President Ezra Taft Benson, "God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the second coming of the Lord. … God has saved for the [final days] some of His strongest children, who will help bear off the kingdom triumphantly. That is where you come in, for you are the generation that must be prepared to meet your God. …
“In all ages prophets have looked down through the corridors of time to our day. Billions of the deceased and those yet to be born have their eyes on us. Make no mistake about it—you are a marked generation. There has never been more expected of the faithful in such a short period of time than there is of us” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 104–5).

If the voices that rage, are silenced on November 4th, I believe it will only be for a short season. If they are not silenced for a season, then they will continue to grow and fill the land......the judges will have succeeded in laying the foundation for our destruction, and like the righteous of Ammonihah we will be silenced, maybe even by fire! Can you take the heat?

The time has come to let our voices be heard! As Hilary Clinton so eloquently said in her Democratic convention address, "government must be about "We the people" not "We the favored few."" So...on November 4th go out and vote, whatever your party may be, whatever stand you choose to take, so that "We the People" are heard!
God Bless you and May God Bless America!
(I really need to stop watching TV!)

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Today's Adventure

Eddie and I ran to Disneyland for a couple hours today. It was....HOT!
Our main reason for going was to pick up some shampoo bars and bath bombs for Julie at Basin's in Downtown Disney. We did go to the park and obviously rode Buzz Blasters. We also went on Snow White and Pinnochio. Then we went to Downtown Disney and we came home.
It was a nice break.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Eddie's talk in Church August 31, 2008

Sorry! I should have posted this before I blogged about Shoreline Village. We were so drained on Sunday, that I didn't blog at all.

So here we go. Sunday, August 31st, Eddie gave his 2nd talk in Sacrament Meeting. His first talk was given back in April of 2006 on keeping the Sabbath Day holy. It was a good talk, but he was very nervous back then. Before that he gave a few 2 1/2 minute talks in Sunday School back in the 70's.

He worked on this talk for 3 weeks. He spent a lot of time in the garage going over it and reading it outloud and putting in his own personal experiences. I knew the scriptures and quotes he was using, but not sure what experiences he was going to share! He was sweating bullets up until the time for the talk. To make life even more interesting....the guy who was supposed to talk before him, also in the Elder's Quorum presidency....didn't show!!!! So Eddie went from being the concluding speaker to the only speaker!

He actually did very well at stretching and adding in some stuff and he blended the talk quite well. The topic he was given to speak on was families. Here is the skeleton of his talk.
He started his talk out by telling the congregation that after he had been asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting, he had gone to the temple and while there had opened the scriptures and just read what ever popped out at him...this is what he found:

D & C 84:70 And the tongue of the dumb shall speak;

He wondered if Brother Shine had read this scripture before asking him to talk?!!!

Tender Mercies
Elder Robert D. Hales said, “Sometimes as parents we feel we have failed when our children make mistakes or stray. Parents are never failures when they do their best to love, teach, pray, and care for their children. Their faith, prayers, and efforts will be consecrated to the good of their children. . . . No family has reached perfection. All families are subject to the conditions of mortality. All of us are given the gift of agency--to choose for ourselves and to learn from the consequences of our choices.“
“The Prophet Joseph Smith declared that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God.” (As told by Elder Orson F. Whitney in Conference Report, Apr. 1929, 110.)

He then shared some thoughts on his return to church and on not being such a great Father to his 3 children, but that he prays for them daily.

1st Nephi 1:20 “But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance”

Elder David A. Bednar has said, “…tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ… Repentance and forgiveness of sins and peace of conscience are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord.

He told the story of being in the temple and it was Covina Stake Temple day and there was a stack of family file names. He went through them and found one that was easy to pronounce. He then went to the session and lo and behold, the guy sitting next to him had the name of the brother of the guy he was going through for. It reminded Eddie of the day he took out his own endowments and his brother was sitting next to him. Luck? A coincedence? No...the tender mercies of the Lord!

Prayer

D & C 68:28 “And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “I submit that a return to the old pattern of prayer, family prayer in the homes of the people, is one of the basic medications that would check the dread disease that is eroding the character of our society. We could not expect a miracle in a day, but in a generation we would have a miracle.
A generation or two ago, family prayer in the homes of Christian people throughout the world was as much a part of the day’s activity as was eating… there is no adequate substitute for the morning and evening practice of kneeling together—father, mother, and children. This, more than soft carpets, more than lovely draperies, more than cleverly balanced color schemes, is the thing that will make for better and more beautiful homes.”

He was going to share a couple experience at this point, but he didnt', so he just went on to the next subject.

Priesthood
D & C 107:99 “Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.”

President Monson has said, “Miracles are everywhere to be found when priesthood callings are magnified. When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving, the power of God brings to pass His purposes.
The priesthood is not really so much a gift as it is a commission to serve, a privilege to lift, and an opportunity to bless the lives of others.” “Priesthood Power,” Ensign, Nov 1999, 49

He talked about the joy of service and honoring the priesthood. He talked about being asked to dress a deceased brother in the ward and what a pure act of service it was, and what an honor it was to be able to do it. He then talked about his experiences of giving his first priesthood blessing and not really understanding the process and about shaking the head of the person off. He then briefly told about being asked recently to give this same person a blessing and what a difference it was now understanding what it means to be a mouth piece for the Lord and the awesome spiritual experience he had in doing so.

Temples
In October conference 1998, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, "The ideals of faith, hope, and charity are most evident in the holy temples. There we learn the purpose of life, strengthen our commitment as disciples of Christ by entering into sacred covenants with Him, and seal our families together for eternity across generations. Receiving our own endowment in a temple and returning frequently to perform sacred ordinances for our kindred dead increases our faith, strengthens our hope, and deepens our charity. We receive our own endowment with faith and hope that we will understand the Lord's plan for His children, will recognize the divine potential within each of us as children of our Heavenly Father, and will be faithful to the end in keeping the covenants we make. Performing temple ordinances for the dead is a manifestation of charity, offering essential blessings to those who have preceded us, blessings that were not available to them during their mortal lives. We have the privilege of doing for them what they are unable to do for themselves." Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Cultivating Divine Attributes," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 27

He talked about what a blessing and privelege it is to go to the temple and that we should all go a lot more and if you haven't gone, you should make it a goal to go!

Home

“The Lord’s standards for building a temple apply also to building spiritual strength in our homes: D&C 88:119 “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.”

President Monson has taught, “a home is much more than a house. A house is built of lumber, brick, and stone. A home is made of love, sacrifice, and respect. A house can be a home, and a home can be a heaven when it shelters a family.

He did a great job after this of cutting out part of Elder Wirthlin's quote and going straight to the verse in Helaman! It was awesome. I'll leave the whole quote though.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin counseled us, “The place to cure most of the ills of society is in the homes of the people. Building our homes as fortresses of righteousness for protection from the world takes constant labor and diligence. Membership in the Church is no guarantee of a strong, happy family. Often parents feel overwhelmed… The Lord has provided a plan that will help us to be successful in meeting every challenge that may confront us.
In the plan of salvation, all families are precious instruments in the Lord’s hands to help direct His children toward a celestial destination. The righteous molding of an immortal soul is the highest work we can do, and the home is the place to do it. To accomplish this eternal work, we should make our homes gospel centered. When peace and harmony abound, the Holy Spirit will ever be present. The storms of the evil one can be stopped at the very entrance of our homes.Let us be sure the spiritual foundation of each home is the rock of our Redeemer, as Helaman taught his sons: “And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.” (Hel. 5:12.) Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Spiritually Strong Homes and Families,” Ensig

He then ended his talk with his testimony and by saying that Moses had his Aaron and he has he Sandy.

I did find the quotes and scriptures, but he had veto power and he told me what subjects to find. He added all the personal experiences and add libs. It was wonderful. So many people came up to him after and told him how proud his mom is of him!!!!

For anyone who knows how crazy Eddie is....this was quite a different side to him. He's still kinda on a high from it all. It was a great experience. He doesn't remember what he said. Unbeknownst to him, I taped it, but I haven't listened to it. I know I left some of his adlibs out, but this is the general gist of the talk. I hope you enjoy!

Shoreline Village, Long Beach

Last night, my sweet husband took me to Shoreline Village just to get away for a little while.
We were only gone for two hours, but it was so nice.

This is the lighthouse across the way.

This is the first place Eddie took me to after we were officially together! That was back in October 2005. That night was a fun night. When we arrived, the lighthouse was purple! I thought it was just for me!
When we got there last night, the sun was still going down. A gorgeous orange sunset.
We just walked around the shops and then down by the water.

The picture up there is of Parker's Lighthouse. It's a restaurant. We walked all around it last night. We even checked out the menu. I asked Eddie why he never took me to dinner there? Someday! We can eat outside over looking the water and watch the boats and the sunset! Very cool.
It's across from the Queen Mary. I went to the Queen Mary for my first time on March 1, 2008 for Matt & Kim's wedding reception. It was very nice. Back in October 2005 was the first time I remember seeing the Queen Mary in person. Eddie's prom was on the Queen Mary, so it wasn't anything new for him. Shoreline Village was a great experience then and a nice break last night. There's Parker's Lighthouse restaurant on the left and the Lighthouse! A different view. The lighthouse is part of the Pike. They use it on a promo for KTLA's news. I always tell Eddie I want to go there and walk around the lighthouse. The Aquarium of the Pacific would be fun too. Maybe next adventure!