Another year on the calendar.

Well I guess it says something about thinking young when you don't remember how old you are.
I had to do the math to find out how old I was going to be on my birthday.
My friend CJ came down this time to spend the day with me at Sea World instead of me going up to spend the day at Disneyland. (Disney trip is going to be in December).
The weather held up and it was a wonderful mild San Diego day, watched the dolphins, had some delicious food, didn't actually see any of the shows, being winter schedule, it would have been difficult to cover all the shows in 5 hours. Katie got to pet the bat rays, and luckily for CJ (who loves penguins) we got to that exhibit in time for feeding and info presentation. Why do they think it needs to feel like an arctic wind is blowing on guests? Poor CJ was freezing so Katie and I gave her our two light jackets which helped some. There wasn't a seat anywhere convenient that didn't have a vent blowing.
We went on the Arctic Adventure ride (much like the Star Tours only in a helicopter over the ice and under water). This was more like a trip to a zoo than to an amusement park. My only disappointment was not being able to ride the new Manta. It was shut down, but Katie and I did get to ride on the Atlantis ride. THAT was amazing. First time I've been on a coaster type ride that used an elevator! Yep. For those that are in S.D. that larger of the two towers is an elevator that takes your car, tipping and swaying up to the top of the lift hill and then puts you back on the tracks for the remainder of the ride. Yes we got wet but not soaking and the weather was warm enough we dried quickly. Picture at the end of the ride showed both of us ducking and screaming. The first drop was VERY steep but luckily short, don't like steep drops. We were also in the back seat of the boat which is another reason why we didn't get very wet.
CJ also brought down her old MacBook Pro for another present, that will be utilized this coming November for NaNoWriMo. Hoping to bang out a novel length story in 30 days. Can't work on my current book, but can write about anything I might have in outline or an idea in the same world.
Thanks to Bart and Marie for the Amazon gift card, have used part of that to buy a cooling deck for it and a book that Katie and I will share for accessorizing some steampunk costumes for next year.
Halloween this year I work at the fabric store so have to come up with some sort of costume to wear. Luckily don't have to worry about water or being outdoors as I would if I were at the nursery.
As I was thinking that, I remembered working on a skirt a few years back and sure enough, up in my closet is the bag with the skirt mostly done. Woohoo!  Part of my costume is done already! Navy blue moire taffeta full skirt. Just have to finish sewing the waistband on and hem it. I can do that in two weeks right? Ummmm. Normally yes, with my machine and it's table out. Unlike Katie, I can't sit on the floor and sew. Guess it's going to be two weeks of sewing for me. Because I still have to have a top to go with it or at least a blouse and vest to look vaguely Victorian/steampunk.
Other than that, health is good, situation for paying bills is good, we're at a plateau right now holding steady.
Thinking about others though that are having a rougher time, brother in law Barry is very ill, hoping things work out with a transplant and gives him some more time.

"A lot of fellows nowadays have a B.A., M.D., or Ph.D. Unfortunately, they don't have a J.O.B."  - Fats Domino