39 Hours in California

• Last minute plane tickets from Atlanta to Los Angeles? Check.
• One tiny suitcase for both Rob and I? Check.
• Super excited to see Ginger on her birthday and she has no idea we are coming? Check.

James came up with a fabulous and generous idea of flying Rob and I out to L.A. to give his lovely wife a birthday surprise. We couldn't resist and took him up on his offer.
Flew into LAX Friday after a long and stinky flight on AirTran.
Rob took one for the team and sat next to the huge sweaty guy in our row. For 5 hours. I love you for so many reasons and that is now one of them.

Tucked in the back of James' mini-van we waited downstairs for Ginger to get in with the promise of a birthday sushi dinner. James had already been out 'picking up dinner' for over an hour to create the guise under which he picked us up at the airport...almost an hour later than expected.
I grabbed her in a hug as soon as she slid into the front passenger seat of the mini-van. I don't think she even knew who I was until James turned on the interior light so Rob could make his way up for his own hug. So good to see them both.
Mild gorging at Mercede's Naked Sushi about a block away from the Pacific ocean.























Oh and the ocean felt and smelled so good. I confess, we unloaded much of what we have found er, challenging about Atlanta to James and Ginger.
It was good though. We were all laughing at what Rob and I had been struggling with on our own in the city.
We have made zero effort to meet people in the city so it's our own fault.

Early walk to the beach for me on Saturday morning. Rob & James slept, Ginger ventured off to her yoga class and I watched the surfers with a big coffee from Cow's End. I think the thing I miss about being close to the water all the time is the feeling that there is enough room for everyone. It is really peaceful to look out over that big, blue, moving expanse.












The birthday weekend continued and the four of us drove up the Pacific Coast Highway through Malibu to Zuma Beach seeking a view and lunch. I put my hand up first and I'm sure I'll never live down choosing The Hideaway Cafe at the Malibu Country Inn for our meal.
Service -
Food - so so
View - amazing!

On our drive back to Marina Del Rey we stopped for a beer at another first for all of us - Paradise Cove Beach Cafe. Wow. I wish I would have known about this spot when I lived in Santa Barbara. I would have been there all the time. A private beach, palapas, over sized Adirondack chairs. It was great to sit back and take in the sun on a gorgeous California day.
Even with James' chav hat.















Next, a quick stop by Surfing Cowboys to visit with shop owners Donna and Wayne. Rob and I bought Surfing Cowboy t-shirts and I succumbed to Donna's subtle and highly effective sales technique and ended up with a new ring that I love.

Later on the four of us met up for dinner with Marla and Jeffrey at 26 Beach in Venice. There was something unique about this restaurant. Even though we immediately started digging into our kinda sweaty waiter and had to ask for water three times from two different people, it was still great.





































After a day in the sun and a respectable sunburn for my redhead, he started going quiet at the dinner table. By the time our ridiculously huge entrees (platters, not plates) were delivered to our table, Rob had turned a green shade of red.
He took the car back to Ginger and James' while the rest of us finished dinner, dessert and a nice walk home. I think the birthday girl had very good day.
It was so much fun to see everyone and be back in familiar surroundings.

Ginger and James' place has experienced another makeover including new bull head, leather club chairs and a fabulous coffee table I will have one day (oh yes, I will). One of James' pieces he no longer wanted around the house was actually purchased by Orlando Bloom through Surfing Cowboys! The place looks awesome...

















































Sunday morning I woke up early, ensured Rob had finished his Gatorade from the night before (poor boy was quite sick) and set out for another walk on the beach. This time, he joined me. I wonder if he wanted to stay as much as I did. We didn't talk about it.












I reminded myself that when we lived in Santa Barbara we couldn't wait to get out of L.A. after 48 hours, back to the quiet of our perfect little town.
So stop being idealistic I said to myself. Take in the ocean, enjoy the visit, hug your friends goodbye, sink a couple of Bloody Marys on the plane home and bask in the glorious absence of big sweaty guy on the leg home.

Can't wait to go back and see you two again. Happy birthday Ginger and thank you, thank you James.












Postscript: Sorry for crushing your hat.

Plush Alligator Attacks

No, not really. Though mascots can cause some real havoc at kids birthday parties. Kids don't know whether to cry or hug them.
My adorable niece Ava turned 3 last weekend. Finally in town for her birthday I got to experience what was Avapalooza.
Mort drove up from Florida for the event and finally got to meet Pete & Adi who I'd been telling him about for years. We all wanted to go golfing but the weather didn't cooperate. Very disappointing.

Kim is a great mom - you should have seen us getting balloons in and out of her car the day of the party. Looming thunderstorms and strong winds always on the cusp of a storm.
Ken arranged for two huge bouncy houses and I knew, oh yes I knew that I was going to finally get in one of those things.
No small children were harmed from the antics of a 33 year old girl jumping around inside an inflated enclosed space complete with double slides, tunnels and obstacle courses. Oh and thanks for getting in there with me Adi.