I Survived (Two) Natural Disasters

It's official....first the wildfire, then the earthquake...so we've now officially survived two natural disasters within two months! Crazy - I've honestly never been in a place where nature governs more than the California desert.

On Tuesday I was sitting at the kitchen table around 11:45, and all of a sudden my chair, the table, and every single kitchen appliance started shaking and rattling. It lasted about 10 seconds, and at first I thought maybe a car had driven into our house or there had been some huge accident outside or something, but then I realized that most likely it had been an earthquake. I figured I wouldn't ever really know for sure, but then 15 minutes later I went on CNN.com and sure enough, the earthquake had been centered in Chino, which is about 75 miles east of us. For those of you O.C. fans, Chino is where Ryan was from. But that's enough of that. We were all ok, and for the Hi-Desert region, this wasn't a big deal. In the past ten years, there have been two earthquakes above 7.0 within 20 miles of us. So we'll see....we might get another one before we leave here. 

That's about all that has gone on around here. Except that we had a wonderful weekend with Mom and Dad last weekend! We showed them everything, from the base to Pioneertown to old Palm Springs to the Palm Desert shopping district. It was so much fun. I'm so glad they got to come out here. Dad and Rocky LOVED each other (so did Mom...but Dad and Rocky are soul mates, I'm pretty sure). We had a blast, and I hope they come out here again soon!

Other than that, Rocky graduated from puppy kindergarten this week! He was so good at the graduation, and even got second place in musical chairs (a pit bull mix won first place because he was bullying Rocky...oh well).

Tomorrow Greg and I are SO excited because Carolyn Roscoe is coming to visit! Roscoe was my roommate in Richmond last year, and was the best roommate ever. She is so great and funny and we are going to have so much fun. She'll be here until Tuesday morning, and we can't wait to show her around. One of the highlights of the weekend will be a day trip to Beverly Hills! I'll keep you all posted on our adventures next week. Have a great weekend!

Mom and Dad Collier's First Visit!

Today Rocky, Greg, and I are anxiously awaiting the arrival of my parents. They were out in Phoenix earlier this week, and are driving over to Palm Springs tonight to spend the weekend with us! We can't wait. I'm spending today cleaning up the house and desperately trying to make a good first impression, since they probably won't be out here in the near future after this visit! I'm also trying to tucker little Rocky out, so he's not a chewing menace when they come. I'm not too worried, though - Rocky was all my Dad would talk about at Cabell's wedding, and I know they're both excited to meet him.

There is so much I want to do with my parents - take my mom to El Paseo (the "Rodeo Drive of the Desert"), to Pioneertown (where all the old Western movies were filmed), to base (of course!), and to Melvyn's, Greg's and my favorite restaurant (it's where Frank Sinatra had his rehearsal dinner, just to give you an idea of it's classy Italian level). Hopefully I'll be able to do all of that! We'll see - they're only here until Sunday. I can't wait to show off the desert! I'll write more of an update after they leave to give all the fun details.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Overdue Update

Hello Friends,

I am so sorry I haven't written in forever! The past few weeks have been incredibly busy - in a good way. Greg, Rocky, and myself had a fabulous time in Arizona, complete with a 4th of July Diamondbacks game, and nightly golf course walks. We really needed the 5 days of vacation, and surprisingly, Rocky seemed to know it, too - he rarely woke up in the middle of the night, and wouldn't bark for breakfast until around 7:30 (instead of the usual 5:30). 

After getting back from Wickenburg, I spent the week preparing for my first big trip East, to Charlotte for Cabell's wedding. Since I spend most of my time with a dog, I had quite a bit of upkeep to do. Haircuts, finding a dress for the various events, and altering my bridesmaids dress...needless to say, there was a lot of running around! On Thursday morning, I left our house to take Rocky to a "pet spa" for the weekend. This was not our first choice (the Grand Paw - AMAZING), but it sounded good on the website. It was horrible. I walked in, and the man didn't even ask how much food to feed Rocky, didn't ask for proof of vaccinations, or anything. ALL of the dogs were barking like crazy, and he wouldn't even let me say goodbye to Rock before whisking him off into the doggy concentration camp. I found myself bawling as I left the "spa" for the airport, and thank goodness my magnificent husband came to the rescue. Because Greg had to work on Friday and was taking a redeye, he picked Rocky up, and found a wonderful friend to agree to watch Rocky for the weekend. I was so grateful, and all of my fears of having a traumatized pup were washed away.

Cabell's wedding was fantastic - there were tons of people there, but it was great to see everyone (including my parents!). I was so glad Greg could make it, and aside from my feeling faint during the ceremony and having to slip away (I blame the 4" heels),  the wedding went off without a hitch. Cabell was gorgeous. It was amazing to see all of my best Groton friends again - I haven't laughed so hard and so long in a LONG long time!

Now I'm back in Yucca Valley, sans husband for the week. It's been a really long week without Greg, who's in Quantico training. He's coming home tomorrow night, and I can't WAIT! I don't know how I'm going to survive 7+ months if one week is this hard. I'll do it - and I don't have to think about that now.  I somehow became sick as a dog though, which stinks, because it's summer and I don't want to be sick. And I'm sosore I can barely stand up, thanks to a new workout class I started this week. Oh well - At least Greg will be home tomorrow! 

Happy 4th of July!

As some of you know, 4th of July is my favorite holiday EVER. I can't imagine anything more fun (not even getting presents under a tree) than celebrating our country's birth. My parents always joked that I was the most patriotic person they'd ever met, "the spirit of the 4th," and perhaps that's why I find the holiday even better now that I'm married to a Marine. Greg and I are heading back east (slightly) today, to Arizona, where my parents have a house. We are spending the weekend there, teaching Rocky how to swim, and catching some (more) rays. We have four whole days together, which is a fabulous long weekend. We'll take pics of Rocky in the pool for you!

I hope everyone has a wonderful fourth of July. Because it's my favorite holiday, I thought I'd run down some of the best all-time 4ths I've ever had, since so many of you blog-readers are a part of my memory, and I like reminiscing.....

1) 2006 - Chestertown, MD. My parents had a crab feast on their front lawn.. Several 13th Co. members showed up, where we caught up, laughed, had wonderful crabs, beer, and corn on the cob, and even rescued a poorly-tied up Boston Whaler, and successfully avoided a storm by moving our table into the porch just in time. 

2) 2005 - Barcelona, Spain. Anna Brown and I finally convinced Sara Hester to go to an American place in Europe. We went to the Hard Rock Cafe, which was of course PACKED with July 4th-starved patriots, and we all sang along to "Born in the U.S.A.," while Anna drank an $11 Alabama Slamma to try to shake off the homesickness.

3) late '90s/early '00s - Tred Avon River, MD. The many 4th of Julys my family spent on my parents' sailboat. I would make my famous Strawberry Shortcake, and we would grill the best burgers ever. On sailboats, when the fireworks are really good, you blow your foghorn. My favorite fourth was hearing so many foghorns, and above it all hearing one boat next to us blast the "1812 Overture." 

4) mid '90s - Irvington, VA. We used to sail down to the Tides Inn on the Rappahannock River in VA, and take a break from boat quarters and stay in a hotel for the weekend. It was always GREAT - spoonbread, grits, and so much other great southern food - not to mention a great fireworks show. I think this is what instilled my love of the 4th. 

There you have it! Last year was a blip on the radar, because Greg was in Richmond helping me move into my electricless, waterless apt, and was about to go to TBS the next day, so he was incredibly nervous. We went to the Olive Garden and saw no fireworks. I think we can do better than that this year!

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

What Happens in Vegas Stays In Vegas....

....and by that I mean the $80 we lost are still swirling around the Luxor Casino! We successfully played the slots for 2-3 hours without losing the money, but in the end us rookies got so frustrated we just wasted it away until it was all gone. Our only consolation is that we planned to spend $100, so (as my mom said) we technically "won" $20. Oh well.

Other than that, we had a great time in Vegas last weekend! The drive was gorgeous - albeit a tad boring. It was 2.5 solid hours on a two-lane, double yellow-line road that goes through the Mojave National Preserve. We didn't pass much - except Roy's gas station in Amboy, CA (no joke - population 4). Roy's was a famous stop on Route 66, and is also more notably known for the site of Enrique Iglesias' and Jennifer Love Hewitt's muy caliente music video, "Hero."Check it out - this is where we live! Luxor was an interesting experience (as is all of Vegas - smoky, crowded, and everyone thinking the person next to them has won tons of money), and the concert was terrific. I highly recommend seeing Tim McGraw in concert - the emotion in his songs brought me to tears several times (don't believe me? Listen to "If You're Reading This").

This week I've been continuing the job hunt, and getting excited for 4th of July! We are going to my parents' house in Arizona, and hopefully will get a chance to relax and play a round of golf. We can't wait! This weekend we are just hanging out with little Rocky, who gets his last shots on Monday, and starts puppy kindergarten on Wednesday!

Have a great weekend everyone, and best wishes for Julia Trechsel (soon to be Davis), who is getting married tomorrow! Unforunately, we can't make the wedding, but she is definitely in our thoughts and prayers.

Pic of the Post: Rocky, our own Devil Pup and Italian Stallion, after closing a recent deal with the Palm Springs mafia.

Update

Since I haven't written in over a week, I thought I'd give you all an update. For the first time in a long time, I feel like things are just starting to settle here in Yucca Valley. Greg's in his third week of work, and is starting to get the hang of it. So far, he likes his job, and likes the base, as well.

Rocky is growing ridiculous amounts every day, is more hyper than ever, but is also more adorable than ever when he's not running around like a mad dog :). He gets his rabies shot and final distemper vaccination in two weeks, which is when we can start taking him out on the town, to the Palm Springs dog park, and to training. I signed him up for an obedience class in July, which I'm really excited for!

As for me, I'm still sending out resumes (so far, to no avail), which is frustrating, to say the least. Hopefully something will pan out. I know there's a reason for everything, so I know the right job will come my way at the right time. In the meantime, I'm trying to find groups and activities that will help me meet people out here. It's hard moving all the way across the country and only knowing one other person (Greg)! I've been in a bit of a funk about this recently, so hopefully this will get better soon. 

Open invite is still available for anyone that wants to come visit! Just as a warning, the average June temperature has kicked in, which is anywhere between 110-115 degrees. Can't wait until August. I feel like I get sun just by walking from my car to the store! At night it's awesome - about 78 - but the daytime can be brutal. I knew I was getting used to the weather when I saw that the forecast for Monday is 98 degrees, and I thought to myself about how nice and cool that is! 

This weekend Greg and I are taking our first weekend adventure, to Las Vegas. It's about a 2.5 hour drive. We're leaving on Saturday morning, staying at Luxor (fake pyramid - we keep it classy, even in Vegas :) ), and going to a Tim McGraw concert on Saturday night! We are also excited to hit up the slot machines - I'll let you know how it goes next week !

Please continue to keep in touch - we miss you all, and can't wait to see you!

Rocky

Here's Rocky at his finest!