...still hiking...

One sunny Sunday morning, Dominic, Mikey and I set off into Santa Anita for a LONG hike. The first trail we drove to was packed...cars were parked at least a mile down the hill so we drove to the other side of the mountain to another trail that was much less crowded.

The trail was really steep. Our book of hiking trails considered it "moderate" so we weren't expecting how tough it was. Well, we did have our overnight packs on for training purposes so I guess without them would have been much easier. There a were a few pretty narrow spots on the side of the mountain which makes me nervous. There were also a lot of rocky spots that became a little tough for Mikey since he doesn't have proper hiking boots (YET)...he was in running shoes and I can't imagine that this hike was enjoyable for him.

The trail we took was a 9 mile hike roundtrip but we only did 3 miles. Mikey's leg was bothering him and this really steep trail wasn't being kind to his feet so we decided to head back after a short rest at water spot. Water is a must on our hikes for Roxi.

Dominic and I are happy to have recruited Mikey as a hiking buddy. Dom even got him to buy his own ORANGE day camelback. It's nice to have some extra company and Mikey did really well for his first time out. We're getting a few others interested, too :)

Hiker's gear list:

FIRST AID KIT

-Band aids

-Advil

-Neosporin

-Bandages/gauze

-Pepto Bismol

-Alcohol

-Thermometer

-Space Blanket

-Wipes

-Small scissors

CLOTHING

-Thick socks (few pairs)

-Sock liners

-Hiking boots

-Sports bra

-Undergarments

-Hike pants/shorts

-Warm PJ's (long johns)

-Water/wind resistant jacket

-Gloves

-Hat/beanie

-Bandanas

-Hiking shirts

-Fleece vest

-Poncho

-Flip flops

GEAR

-Camelback (for shorter hike once camp is set)

-Map/directions

-Compass

-Canteen

-Water purifier/iodine tablets

-Whistle

-Matches/lighter

-Mirror

-Bug spray

-Head lamp

-Flashlight

-Toilet paper

-Sunblock

-Extra batteries

-Sunglasses

-Tent (if overnight)

-Tarp (if overnight)

-Mummy bag (if overnight)

-Knife/multi-tool

-2-way radio

-Pencil/paper

-Camera

-Binoculars

-Toothbrush/paste

-Face wash

-Deoderant

-Clothespins

-Large safety pins

-Lightweight towel

-Kleenex

-Lip balm

-Dish soap/sponge

-Garbage bag

-Dog bowl

-Pot/pan

-Lightweight stove/fuel

-Cup/bowl

-Utensil

-MRE's

-Cooking oil

-Energy bars

*Leave food/water and a change of clothes in vehicle for your return

*This list will be updated...as we gain more hiking experience :)

garage sale <3

Last weekend, Dominic's family had their 15th annual "last garage sale" garage sale :) Some of his family got together to claim their spot on his aunt's driveway or lawn to sell some of the "junk" they've collected. We arrived a bit after 7am and stayed into the afternoon. Dom and I had front row on the small piece of grass by the road. I've been collecting bags of clothing that have become too big for me, some of it has never been worn with tags on them or I've worn maybe twice. I've actually been meaning to bring it all into work to sell because I often get compliments on what I wear so I figure I can get better deals there. I only made $11 off of 3 items here...I know, I priced some things for a little more than you'd expect to see at a garage sale but these are QUALITY items that I paid good money for...so I can wait to see what I get for them at work. Dominic made a little over $100! Nice job :) We had a yummy dinner that night at Blue Fish, one of our favorite sushi spots near home.

Can you believe no one bought these sombreros divertidos!? We never get bored.

Dom and I have become quite the garage sale enthusiasts. Lately, we've been spending free Saturday mornings garage sale hunting. We drive through our neighborhood and over to the Pasadena area. A month ago or so, I found this awesomely blue trunk for $15. It's in great condition, it's been on my list of things to find AND I love the color. It currently holds art supplies AND hiking gear/supplies. Jackpot.

Dom found a really cool North Face jacket for $5 from the same sale..great for hikes or camping.

Thursday night hike

Another NEW hike around Pasadena. We didn't last long since we got a bit of a late start and it started to get dark. The important thing is that we got some fresh air, gave our legs and the dog a little exercise and scoped out a new area that we'd like to come back to for a longer duration.

I didn't realize until I took the picture that Dom camouflages with the background. Haha..I always tease him about wearing camo and that it makes him "disappear." Maybe he's on to something ;)

This is me walking ahead, and trying to take a picture behind me without looking. Practice makes perfect. Hey Roxi! Have I ever mentioned that she's AMAZING?! I heart her :)

AND.....woohoo for hikes! An overnight hike is just around the corner.

My little artists

The school I work at had their book fair last night and tonight at the Barnes & Noble at the Americana. It's a fundraiser that raises money for our school by giving a percentage from the books bought by our parents and families. Every student from 4 years old to our 8th graders had a piece of their artwork displayed on the walls and windows of a section on the 2nd floor. It looked amazing, thanks to a handful of parents and Miss Kathy (other art teacher) for spending hours hanging up the artwork. Kathy and I worked so hard over the past week or so finishing up the artwork with our kids and then framing it all and labeling it for this little presentation. I think all the hard work, late hours at the office and extra hours at home were worth it once I saw the look on my students faces last night as they ran all over searching for their art. They'd point it out to mom and dad and their friends and snap pictures of it. I was really impressed with the night and with my kids' hard work :)

Left: 4 year olds, cities. Right: 5 year olds, Piet Mondrian inspired

Left: Monet's Japanese Footbridge by my 2nd/3rd grade. Right: Kathy's work & mine

Left: Edvard Munch's "The Scream" by my 1st/2nd graders. Right: Van Gogh inspired sunflowers by my 1st graders

Top: Taking a few steps back to admire it all

Bottom: Kindergarteners/1st graders creatures from Where The Wild Things Are

couple of jack's

Left: Dom. Right: mine

And after carving, Dom baked the seeds and added a few seasonings. He couldn't believe that I have NEVER done that before...especially since I've carved a pumpkin every year since I was a kid. There's a first for everything.

Latest artwork...

...of my students. Here are some of this year's Halloween projects.

My 4 year old's project.

Dia de los Muertos = Day of the Dead. 2nd grade, done with pastels.

I couldn't be happier with how these came out. Edvard Munch's "The Scream" by my 1st graders, done with pastels. This was a lot of work and lots of step-by-step instruction but so worth it.

Where The Wild Things Are by my Kindergarteners and 1st graders.

A Halloween "Catch"

I can't believe I put together my costume ON Halloween, finishing a few hours before heading out for the night. I had spent the week THINKING about what I wanted to do, mentally planning it out. I went shopping all over town on Saturday afternoon to buy the rest of the materials I needed along with my brother who bought all his materials for his costume that day, too. Procrastination could run in the family.

I was a fish this year...a fisherman's catch, Dom being the fisherman :) I bought a black dress from Marshall's and spray painted most of it silver. I then drew scales with a black sharpie and individually glued large sequins randomly all over as shiny scales. I found a greenish boa that belongs to a mermaid costume and draped it over my shoulder as moss. I also made a fishing hook out of a silver pipe cleaner and bobby pinned it to the side of my hair. I bought face paint and painted scales on my forehead and blue fish lips on my lips. I already had a shiny silver pair of pumps from a costume last year

My brother was Max from the book Where The Wild Things Are! I loved it! It was actually my idea since I really wanted to create a cute girl version for me this year...but Dom didn't want to be one of my monsters from the story. My mom helped him make it by sewing together a grey hoody to matching sweat pants so it would be like a "onesie" and then Chris created wolf ears, black whiskers, a gold crown and a scepter. It was coooooool :)

Dom looked great in his fishermen gear. It all looked very familiar to what he wore on our Bishop trip :) He actually wore his waders and carried around a fishing pole. Of course, he sported his favorite hat (John Deere) which he looks oh so handsome in btw :)

Our friend, Alain, borrowed an old costume of my brother's...a UPS guy with a package of broken glass. He kicked it around all night, like Jim Carrey did in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Kasia was WAY TOO CUTE as Mary and her lovely daughter was her little lamb! Kasia carried around a cut out picture of Victoria all night :) "And everywhere that Mary went her lamb was sure to go."

We had fun that night hanging out with a group of Dom's friends and their significant others. Vampires and a chick Elvis were among their costumes. We also saw another friend later who dressed up as "Alan" from the movie, The Hangover...of course he brought along baby "Carlos"..not at the table Carlos! :)

Here, fishy fishy ;)

OktoBEERfest

Another year, another Oktoberfest in Montrose...yet the same familiar friendly faces are out. I swear, in 9 out of 10 pics my brother will be making some random, funny face. I always crack up while looking back at my pictures at the end of the night. Kasia, Dom and I hit the street pretty late that night...in fact when we got there, all the ticket booths ran out of tickets. We weren't able to buy any beer! We scored a few free cups from friends fortunately.

Once the fest was over, we stopped by 818 hoping to get a drink. They were packed and by the time we got in and to the bar, they had made their last call already (and it was only about 11pm or so). I think they may have been understaffed and couldn't handle all the booze hounds...like the ones below! My brother's friend was in costume and was taking off, so they switched clothes in the parking lot. How festive.

So then we all went across the street to the Blue Moon. I've never been a big fan of this bar, I've always thought it was sort of lame so I had low expectations but we were still in need of a drink. Surprisingly, the bar was packed and had a really good DJ so a few kids were dancing and everyone was having a great time. Even Dom participated on the dance floor...as my "pole." He just stands there, arms up, and I do all the work ;)

I like this pic ;)

His & Hers

Dom finally got a backpack for long distance hikes! And guess what, his is the better half of my pack. His is the Mars, and mine is the Venus...his and hers packs :) He bought it at REI after we waited about an hour in line outside before they opened for their used gear sale. No, it wasn't used but it was time. We did get good deals on used mummy bags for camping, his is a 15 degree and mine is a 0 degree bag. I also bought used hiking boots (lesbian boots) since the pair I bought months ago from Sport Chalet have been KILLING me, giving me a gnarly blister on my right heel...and unfortunately this has not been allowing for enjoyable hikes (for either of us). The new boots rock so far, no complaints :)

Once we were done at the REI used sale, we headed out to camp for the night at Lake Casitas. My brother was participating in a disc golf tournament that was held on the campgrounds so we met him and his friend at their campsite. Dom and I got to break in our new backpacks, too. We packed as if we were heading out on an overnight hike and for the most part, only took with us what we could carry on our backs. We took clothing, toiletries, food (MRE's, like sweet and sour chicken, spinach omelette, blueberry cobbler...), first aid, our new mummy bags and we cheated a little by taking a cooler of beer since we had the truck (and slept in the bed of it). I've never packed that light for anything, so I was pretty pleased with myself for pulling it off.

Since the disc golf tournament took place throughout the campsite, disc golfers were everywhere. My brother won 1st place for his division..which i think is 2 before pro. He got a pretty sweet handmade trophy.

The lake was gorgeous, too. I'd definitely go back for a weekend camping trip. Roxi got to REALLY enjoy the lake by getting some swim time and playing fetch in the water.

She's awesome. Seeeee....