TWO DAYS AGO: I was in Downtown Fullerton getting lunch with my dear friend, Heidi, and after we ate, we took to strolling down Harbor Blvd. We popped into The Brick Basement Antique Mall (which is, incidentally, HUGE and AWESOME). Towards the back of the store in a corner near the register, I spot…you’ll never guess…ok, I’ll tell you…MISS JANE’S SISTER!

I was sure it was her sister. Now that I have a Stewart McCulloch figurine, I would recognize another one anywhere. And there one was. Looking ever so lonely. Being the decent human being I am, I took her home with me for a family reunion.

Aren't they sweet?

One of our favorite summer things to do is to watch movies in the park. When we were living in the Bay Area, we went to a couple screenings at Dolores Park, but now that we’re in Southern California, we’re all about Cinespia! On Saturday night, we drove up to Hollywood to watch North by Northwest in the cemetery (probably my favorite Hitchcock besides Rear Window). It sounds a lot creepier than it actually is. They project the film on one of the buildings, and everyone lays out picnic blankets on the lawn.

We met a lovely couple while we were waiting in line and really hit it off. We ended up sitting together and decided to be permanent movie-going buddies. Next weekend, Casablanca!

On Friday night, Jason and I saw OK Go at the Music Box in Hollywood. They put on a really great show. Very fun and quirky and interactive…all you would expect from the fellas who created some of the best music videos ever. (Also, Earl Greyhound opened, and they were fabulous. Pure rock ‘n’ roll. When they perform, it’s like you’re being slathered in butter. Their guitarist is a young, skinny, sexy Michael Bolton although he is way too cool to enjoy that comparison.)

Here is the front of the card. I photoshopped Jason’s and my face on an old photograph I found on flickr. I make myself laugh so hard.

It was the most untraditional one we’ve ever had and probably the most laid-back. My sister, brother-in-law, and two wee nephews drove down for a few days. We did a lot of hanging out and walking around downtown Laguna. Our Thanksgiving dinner consisted of turkey sandwiches on the beach.

It was Lincoln’s second time at the beach, but the first time he’d really explored the sand. Jason and Johnny dug a very deep hole in the sand (as boys do) and filled it up with the two-year-old and more sand. He’s been initiated.

Boone slept as we watched the sunset.

The next day involved a trip to San Diego Zoo where we saw a gorilla and a polar bear very closely. Lincoln is very clever with identifying animals and perched wide-eyed on his daddy’s shoulders for most of the time.

Thanks, Gillespies, for coming for a visit!

Last night, Jason and I went to a birthday (slash) housewarming party for one of his friends. It was a good first social outing, and we had loads of fun.

The earlier part of the day was spent driving around Laguna Beach, looking for apartments. I would estimate that craigslist only represents about 30% of the rental market. Most of the places we’ve found were from scoping out neighborhoods and looking for “For Rent” signs. In a lot of ways that’s better because you can rule out a place quickly and get an idea of the different areas. Research, you know.

Photo by Melissa Snyder.

It was the longest I’d been away from him since we’ve been married so that was weird and sucky.

This is our little duplex that I will miss so much. It was the first place Jason and I have lived that was big enough to have people over. It was charming, and I liked our neighbors.

Here’s a few photos of what transpired in the last week.

The Day They Took the Car Away (to ship it down south)

Pain Perdu, I love you.

After the Movers Left

On My Way!

We’re really going to try to document this transition as much as possible. It’s quite the adventure for us!