Under the Covers...

Look what I found all cuddled up under the covers in the guest room...

"What do you want?  I'm sleeping here!"

...and yes, she does have her head on a pillow.  Isn't she cute?!

Dinner Party, anyone?

Is it weird how excited I am to finally have my fine china?  

Well, I am!

I think it is partly to do with having it at one time, but keeping it stored in my in-laws house; then returning it in New Jersey so we wouldn't have to move it; and now finally going back to purchase it since our store credit was burning a hole in my pocket!

It has been a long process, but well worth it.  Now that the dishes are washed and put away, I can now think about having a dinner party.  I don't know how many people are even interested in one, but I have always looked forward to having one with close friends and/or family.  The idea of sitting around the table, relaxed, with good conversation, food, and a beautiful setting has always appealed to me.  I love cooking and trying new recipes, so sharing that love just naturally follows. 

Who knows how long it will be until I actually have one, but until then, I can start imagining the good times ahead.  Besides, these dishes cost enough...I might as well put them to good use!

So Long "4SOU222" =(

The time has finally come for me to become an official California resident again.  With that, I had the privilege of spending 2.5 hours at the DMV today, lucky me!  It really wasn't too bad considering I needed my license, registration, and title all done in one shot.  


When I moved to NJ back in 2006, I had a feeling that Pat and I would someday move back west.  When it came time for me to register my car out there, I made sure to hold on to both of my plates thinking I would be able to use them once I was a CA resident once again.  Boy, was I wrong!


A little side note is needed here...I know it might seem crazy to post about the loss of my car's plate.  The thing is this was the plate to my first car, the one I have had since graduating high school.  My plate just had a certain flow to it and it was easy to remember.  Who wouldn't love "4 Sou (like Sue) 222!?"  I kept both plates in the trunk of my car for over 4 years just for the purposes of today.  So, it was a bit of a let down to know that it would no longer be my plate.


**Just received my new plates (March 22), and I may have exaggerated a bit on the below paragraph...oops!  Normal Cali plate for me!
Another horrible part of this is I now will have a plate that no longer fits the typical California car license plate.  For those of you who don't know, a Cali plate typically has had one number, three letters, then three numbers.  It was unique to California and now I will no longer be a part of that.  The new system has 5 numbers, one letter, one number...How boring!!!  So in honor of my long, lost plate...here it is.

The exciting part of today was getting a California license again.  It is kind of weird to have a "Temporary" paper license again.  I feel like I am a teenager again not having a "real" license.  (though I am not complaining!)  The good news is the CA DMV did allow me to keep my DL number I had 4 years ago...thank goodness!  Now the only difference is I will get the spiffy (that's right, I said spiffy!) new license with fluorescent pics, raised signatures, and whatever else they came up with.  Too bad I have to wait 30-60 days for it.  Here is my temporary license, with the important info blocked out. =)

So, finally I am officially a Californian again and can now will be able to prove it in about a month, with a real id that is!