The New and the Sad

So many things have happened in the last few weeks! Let's start with the bad...sadly, our family dog, Pooh Bear, died after 12 years with our family. I got her for my birthday and she was the cutest puppy! She would sleep in my bed when she was little and she made the cutest snoring noises. As she grew older she was so loyal - especially to my dad. She would guard us with her life, well...until she saw an unknown person and then hid behind our legs. But we all loved our little "body guard". We love you Pooh Bear and we will miss your snorts and your black, slobbery tongue and your constant love.

On a lighter note, I finally did it! I colored my hair dark brown again. The blond era is over...at least for now. I wanted it to be a surprise, so I made the appointment without telling anyone - even Mike! Saturday after the appointment, I went to Mike's work to show him my hair and he didn't even recognize me!! He thought I was a customer until I took off my sunglasses. But the reaction afterwards was great! Everyone loves it so far. The first picture, Mike and I took at a restaurant...that is why there is a red glow.

Mr. Anderson

Mike picked my car up from Prestige Too last week and they kept calling him "Mr. Anderson". Mike was a good sport and didn't correct anyone. Even when they started talking to him. "Here's your car Mr. Anderson", "How's your wife Mr. Anderson?", "Tell your wife 'hi' for us, Mr. Anderson". Poor Guy! (Well, I don't feel that bad for him.)

Later, when he told me this, he mentioned how odd it was to be called a completely different name. Yeah...I have NO clue what that feels like. In one day I went from Jessica Anderson to Sister Pless. I was trying to tease him and see if Mike wanted to change him last name to Anderson...but he likes his Pless. And to be honest, Pless is fine with me too. So long Jessica Anderson...Hello Jessica Pless.

My Friends at Prestige Too

Mike and I had to take my car into the shop again because my car wasn't passing the Smog test. (Don't worry...no more accidents!) The reason we found out later was because my car's computer wasn't hooked up properly. So, that meant another trip to Prestige Too Auto Body Shop for a check-up.

As I walk into the shop, 3 people recognized me! Not only did they recognize me, they asked me how married life was going and if I was enjoying it. Mike came into the shop with me, so I finally have a witness to this fact! (He didn't believe me when I said the whole staff there knows me .) I swear...I am two more visits away from making these people my lunch buddies.

Our friendly assistant, Kathy was chatting with me and Mike while pulling up our information and telling us her woes of not being married - yeah that was a little awkward, but then she mentioned something that really touched me....She told Mike and I that the reason she remembers me was because throughout both accidents, I was never mean, rude or annoyed with anyone there. I was "caring, understanding and sweet." And it didn't hurt that I was there more frequently that usual customers. Aww!

So, while my car is back with Prestige Too, I'm back to driving the beast of a car - the cop car. You can hear me drive this sucker from a mile away! But, I am glad my precious car is in good, friendly hands!

Our Memorial Day Fun!

Mike and I decided to embark on a beach bike ride on our holiday weekend. Because we don't own our own bikes, we raided Aunt Sue's garage and found a tandem bike. Now, being the true dorks we are, we decided to take the tandem bike out for a spin. Carissa and I tested it first, just to make sure it was safe. Even though the bike hadn't been ridden in ten years, it was in pretty good shape. The only down-side to the bike was the back rider's handle bars were not as solid as they should have been. If anyone has been on a tandem bike that was made in the 80's, you will know that wobbly back handle bars means the front rider's seat moves with the handle bars.
It was a little weird to have someone control - or not control- what direction your butt moved. But, that is a sacrifice we made to have a fun bike ride.

Aunt Sue and Carissa came with us, so we had a whole caravan of Pless' riding down the beach strip together. But the weather was gorgeous and the company was great. We got some exercise and I was able to take some great scenic shots.

Once we biked the strip, we all decided to take a little break. Carissa and I sat down to chat and take pictures, Sue decided to ride on a little
further on her old beach cruiser, and Mike...well
he decides to be a little mischievous boy. Nothing out of the ordinary.

For some reason, Mike thought it would be cool to try to bunny hop the tandem bike. So, he fiddles with the bike, hops a few times, and then Carissa and I witness the inevitable. As he is in mid-hop, his foot slipped and he cut his leg. The funny thing is, Mike looks at his huge gash and just shrugs his shoulders and continues to try to bunny hop the tandem bike! Who is this guy?

Carissa and I force Mike to the lifeguard where it
took this guy 3 times to try and wrap Mike's leg.
He urged Mike to go get stitches, but again, Mike shrugged his shoulders and told the lifeguard he would get around to it.

Even with a huge, deep gash in his leg, Mike still rode his bike like he was in a race...leaving the rest of us in the dust. He must still be in Missionary Bike Riding mode.

Later that night, Mike finally realized that his new gash wasn't a good thing. While everyone else was enjoying the hot tub at our family BBQ, Mike had to keep his cut dry and didn't participate at first. But, like he always does, he
found a way to sit/lay in the hot tub while keeping his leg dry.

I did feel bad for him at first, but he likes showing off his newest battle scar. After he showed the whole family his cut, I saw the pride in his eyes and then the pity in my heart went right out the window along with the idea of stitches.

I have to admit, after seeing Mike and his mini adventures, this makes me hope when we start our family, we will get a boy just as cute and mischievous as my husband. He makes every day interesting and laughable.

More Weekend Fun!!

The biggest treat we received this last weekend was the chance to go to the play Wicked with my parents. My mom and I have been dying to see this play and we finally had the chance to see it thanks to my dad!

We planned the whole day in Los Angeles. We went to the Temple in the morning, the La Brea tar pits in the afternoon, and we finished the night with Wicked. The whole play just blew me away!

Now, for those of you that don't know Mike, he isn't the biggest fan of musicals. We were watching the movie Across the Universe one night and he turned to me and asked, "Why are they all singing. I don't get it." Even after I explained that the movie is a musical and that is what they do in musicals...he still thought it was unnecessary.

But Mike loved Wicked! The story line was captivating and the whole experience was just wonderful for everyone. We give it two thumbs up!

Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us tag along on your adventures! We loved it and we thought it was the perfect ending to a perfect day!





Also, I decided to include more pictures from Disneyland in this entry. As you can see in one picture, I'm ready to fly down the cave on the Bobsled ride, but sadly, some disgruntled Disneyland worker stopped my bobsled right before I was about to launch. It made me sad and Mike was lucky enough to catch my reaction. What can I say...I'm a girl that cannot hide her emotions. But, for those of you who are worried, have no fear...the ride took off in a matter of seconds after this picture was taken and my happy face came back.











I've also included a cute picture of my parents. We went on a little treasure hunt and they found the gold! Too bad 20 other little kids found it at the same time. I guess that is what you can expect at Disneyland.

Disneyland!!!

Mike and I were so happy to have my parents visit us for the weekend. We just have so much fun with them no matter what we are doing. One of our destination on our fabulous family trip was Disneyland.

Disneyland holds a special place in my heart. I've been a Disneyland fan since I was a little girl and I had the privilege of taking picture with the biggest celebrity I knew...Mickey Mouse. Never mind the fact that ever other little kid got the same privilege...I was special because he knew my name. (Later I realized my name was on the Mickey ears we bought.) But all the same, it is a magical place for me and my family.

Another Disneyland tradition we love are the yummy churros. As soon as we enter through the magical gates, the aroma of these sweet little treats float towards us. These little suckers never disappoint.

As soon as we get a churro, then we are ready to conquer the park. We got our Fast Track passes and cut everyone in line. Those passes are a thing of beauty. We were able to ride all of our favorite rides without standing in line for what feels like years. And with a little help from the rainy weather, the rides without Fast Track passes were abandoned. Yeah for the rain!

But one of the greatest things I love about Disneyland is the fact that anyone can feel and act like a kid again. You can still believe that Sleeping Beauty is still in her castle, that Pinocchio can one day be a real boy and that Mickey Mouse actually knows you by name.

And with a mischievous husband and parents you believe to be amazingly perfect, you believe that perfect days really do exists. Nothing but smiles, laughs and great memories exist those days. You forget about stress at work, deadlines and all of the responsibilities you have and you focus on the memories you are making.

Maybe it isn't just Disneyland that is magical. I believe that my family is magical. The time we spend together (whether in a park filled with cartoon characters or at home talking about our goals and dreams) is the time I cherish. But it is always nice to have a place where everyone knows your name (if you wear your personalized Mickey ears) and where the churros never run out.

My Request

I love being married to Mike. We are having so much fun as a married couple and we are just so in love. So, as a person that just wants more of a good thing, I have been hinting that I want to expand our family by getting a puppy. (Not baby...puppy) Now, I'm a pretty logical girl and I know that having a puppy isn't the best thing for Mike and I, but I bring it up to Mike everyday because I like to tease him. So, this post is just letting you all in on my little joke.

At this time of year in Southern California, EVERYONE has a dog. They are on the beach, on the streets, even in purses! It is the biggest trend right now.

The dog I want is an English Bulldog. Anyone who knows my family knows we have Sharpei's and we love their loose skin and wrinkles. So, it shouldn't shock anyone that I want another kind of wrinkly dog. It just runs in the family.

But, because I tease Mike about getting a puppy, I have planned out all the details about our future addition. And here they are:

If we get a boy, his name will be Toby. If we get a girl, her name will be Zoey. While he/she is still learning potty training, I'll just plop some baby diapers on the dog until she/he learns to go outside. :) (Mom, aren't you so proud of me??)

Toby/Zoey will come to work with me and my boss already called "dibs" on the dog being our office mascot. (This is why I love California Ad agencies...so laid back.)

In our apartment complex, we have a smoker below us and sometimes his smoke creeps into our apartment. So, I would just tell our manager that we got sick of smelling smoke so we decided to get a dog so we could smell him/her instead. Seriously now, what would YOU rather smell? Dog or smoke? That's what I thought.

So, now you all know what goes on between Mike and I everyday. One day, I know we will get a puppy, but for now, I'm happy to focus all my attention on Mike. Plus, he deserves it. He works so hard to provide for us and I could be happier that he is the man I get to tease for eternity!