This was our 6th Annual Scrapalooza. Once again, our fourth member "Fern" did not make it this year, so the three of us were left up to our scruples to have a great fun-filled girls' weekend!

This weekend was also the time when we were able to let the cat out of the bag about my pregnancy. This weekend was equally special to me because three years ago on the same occasion, my friend KCo broke the news that she was pregnant and our baby is due around the same time that her son was born...wouldn't it be a riot if our children shared the same birthday?

I was so excited because for the first time ever, I was able to work on a baby scrapbook album for myself! I've done quite a few over the years (I think 7 of them) and have loved making them for special friends and my sister, but now it's my turn!

It's funny, because our first couple of years, we started out staying up all hours of the night; one time staying up till 4 am. As we're getting "older", we're hard-pressed to make it to midnight!!! We always have a lot of fun. I was so excited to catch up with my girlfriends, gossip, and snack the night away.

Thanks so much for hosting this year E!

My cousin Masaki and his two girls, Moe [mo-eh] and Suzuka came to the US for their first time. My Aunt Sanae came with them, but this was her third visit to the states. Unfortunately, their stay was pretty short, about 7 days, because my cousin couldn't take the days from work. So, we had to pack in as much fun as possible and lots of driving within that short span of time.

It started on Monday as we picked them up from LAX. Even though they probably hadn't slept in 24 hours, we figured they were still running on adrenaline, so we whisked them off to Universal Studios for lunch and rides. After a long day, we muddled through LA traffic and found our hotel and had pizza for dinner!

The next morning we drove back to my folks' house where they were staying for the majority of the trip. A day of rest and relaxation, and they were off to Yosemite the following day. My dad did a lot of driving and a lot of cooking! They really enjoyed his cooking. They also had a chance to eat at some "American" style dining, and loved the food. The girls hardly eat when they're home, but they sure packed away a lot of food during this trip!

The following day, they loaded up in my parents' motorhome and came up to our place. After a yummy lunch at the local fish place, we whisked them off to Hearst Castle (nobody seemed too impressed by that!) and then a barbecue at our house.

The next day, we took them kayaking and spent some time at the beach. The girls had a homework assignment where they had to collect 30 pieces of something from their trip. They decided to collect seashells. Usually, there's lots strewn along the beach, but this day we were hardpressed to find them. Before returning to my parents' house, we had lunch at a local Mexican restaurant. I am so amazed at how much they can eat and stay so slim! (I guess I missed that gene!)

Their last day here, my sister took them shopping for all their souvenirs and to experience an American mall. They feasted at Inn N' Out for lunch.

They had a great time. They wanted to fit in a trip to the Grand Canyon, but there just wasn't enough time. We told them they would just have to come back!

I had such a fun time spending time with my cousin and his two girls. I just love the girls--they were so cute and funny! My aunt was as tearful as ever during the good-byes. I hope we can see them again soon whether it's us heading to Japan or them coming back. I hope they had a memorable time. My parents were wonderful hosts and bent over backwards to accomodate them--thank you Mom & Dad! Now, everyone can breathe a little and rest...Ja mata ne!

Our backyard is in desperate need of a makeover. We have ideas--that's not the problem. We knew we wanted to start a vegetable garden and to use raised beds, but with so many resources out there, we just weren't sure how to get started.

Working at the bookstore for years, I remembering always shelving this book, The Square Foot Garden. Never really paying attention to it. After all this time, I came across it again on an Internet search, found their website, read a little more, and decided to check out the book. Got the book, read it from cover to cover, and was hooked! I started telling people about it, and RT's family actually got interested in it, too. His sister and nephew already started one, but we were slacking.

If you're tired of clay soil, sandy soil, adding nutrients, fertilizing, and weeds---this is the method for you! It is such a simple and foolproof way to garden. I highly recommend this book or website.

When RT's parents came last weekend, they offered to help us get started. Since they were going to try it also, they figured this would be a good learning experience for them. Well, how could we pass up that offer?

Sure enough, we bought the supplies and got right to work. It really only took us about 2 hours to do 2 beds. I was impressed! We had some seeds and bought some plants and RT planted. We're starting to see some shoots and can't wait for our first bounty!
Thank you so much J & L for your enthusiasm and helping hands!

getting the soil ready...

mixing it up...



Did we get it all?


leveling it off...

the finished product...

master gardener & his apprentice...

the "vegetables" of our labor...

RT's parents visited us last weekend to finish their weeklong "stay"cation. We had a fun time showing them a few local sites in the VW bus. Of course we had to fit in some shopping and browsed the shops around town. While they were here, they generously helped us get our Square Foot Garden started. We had such a good time and felt we accomplished so much and at the same time caught up on all the news and enjoyed having them over!

Here they are with Spooner's Cove in the background:

Welcome!

Maritime Chaparral

The Old Oaks' Home

Jannu's nose going into overdrive

Calif. Indian Pink (aka Calif. Scarlet Campion)

Our guide

Elfin Forest, a local nature preserve, is located in Los Osos in the southeastern shore of Morro Bay. Elfin Forest is primarily maintaind by a local non-profit, Small Wilderness Area Preservation (SWAP). The name "Elfin Forest" comes from the short stature of the California Live Oaks. Their size is stunted by the local environment and, despite being centuries old, range from a high of 20 feet in sheltered areas to a low of 4 feet near the tallest ridge line.

Elfin Forest is pretty special because it houses several different habitats for plant communities in a fairly concentrated area (90 acres). These include the coastal marsh, brackish water marsh, riparian woodland, coastal dune scrub, coastal live oak, maritime chaparral, and oak/manzanita complex.

At times, we like to switch up our daily walks with Jannu and take her there. RT usually takes his Ecology class out there to show the different habitats and plants. I think that at one time, one of the SWAP members saw RT leading his class on a field trip and asked him to lead one of their weekend strolls. So, I think he's booked to do that in the fall. You're welcome to join in the fun!

For many of you, you won't hear our news until a few more weeks yet. (I've actually posted this after we've shared the news). I just needed a way to secretly express how I've been feeling these past two weeks.

For the first few days in July, I've been feeling a little off. Not in a bad way, but things definitely feel different with my body. I have my suspicions. I think I'm pregnant. Couldn't be possible, right? After EVERYTHING we've gone through and how very little our chances of even conceiving the good ol' fasion way will actually come to fruition. Still, I can't shake this feeling that I'm pregnant. I share my concerns with RT. He jokingly says that I am trying to "will myself to become pregnant."

Before I left for my month long stay with my sister in Florida, I just had a very important appointment with my nephrologist. He was the last doctor I needed to see before we got the "green light" to officially begin trying to conceive naturally. I was so giddy when I left for my trip because he told me that there was no reason, even with my PKD, that I couldn't have kids right now.

So, what if? Just what are the chances that I will be pregnant after all? And, if that's the case, what happens next? It will be thrilling and very scary all at once. But, what if?

Our friends decided to escape the valley heat and migrated our way last weekend. Kathy hadn't been to our place since last year before we started making some home improvements. I hope she saw some changes! It was a relaxing time to catch up, eat some good food, and enjoy the company. We set out to kayak the following morning. Despite all the fog and overcast days, this day turned out to be one of Morro Bay's finest with the sun gracing us with its presence and lighting up the bay (although it doesn't look so sunny in the pictures). The tandem kayak is always a good thing as it really takes a lot of the pressure off me to paddle (thanks RT!) and I rest when I get tired--which is often...ha...ha...We got out of the kayak and hiked over to the dunes. Being in that soft sand with the steep terrain was really a workout, but I pressed on because I wanted to see the other side. Turns out it was just more beach, but I did notice the guys "frolicking" in the water as if climbing up the hill was no big deal as I'm huffing and puffing and thinking, "I'm headed back."

There were a lot of sea lions and one lonely otter (it's the zoom lens---we were not that close!). After our trek, we treated ourselves (or rather our other friend, Clarence, did) to some fish and chips. The line at Giovanni's was outrageous! Everyone else had the same idea, but did they work for it? It was worth it after we all devoured our lunch! I hope Kathy and Corby had a nice time hanging out with us. Come back soon!