Filter free ladies laughter and sun! Oregon Trail Part deux.

There must have been something in the water in Oregon because our little road trip was magical. I thought I was just along for the ride, I wasn't quite clear about the game plan, but Calleen (Noey's sister friend through a catering gig many moons ago) had it all planned to perfection. I didn't know who we would meet along the way, but by the end of the trip I, along with Noey, were giving our new found lovelies Pam and Cailin (and Jill!) each other advice, lots of hugs, and all saying how much we loved our time together. When we left, for me, it was as if a bubble burst and the air we had been floating on ceased to exist. I think we all needed the little trip. Pam and Calleen especially were or are going through unforseen life changes, new chapters, and Cailin is heading to UC Berkeley as a new student which is always such a great new adventure in ones life.

I say this often in my blog about how much fun I have, but I can not honestly remember the last time I laughed constantly for five days straight and did not bicker a bit (just a pillow fight or two) with a group of strong willed women (are there any other kind?). From this trip we will forever have endless inside jokes. Writing this brings a smile to my face and I am sure my laughter lines have deepened.

It was a girly weekend for sure, and I felt a bit bad for Gerald (Pam's husband) who was the only male for a few nights, having to deal with all of our women talk and that meant no filtering, lots of noise and excitement. Sean, Calleen's nephew (see above with his wife Jill and Calleen)  graciously cooked for us and dealt with all of our energy too.  One night, in the middle of a serious conversation, Calleen turned to me and said mid sentence, totally switching course, 'oh and your hair looks great like that by the way' Sean exclaimed ' Damn WOMEN!' He had some great stories, as did Jill, who was a nurse in the maternity ward. She took us to downtown Bend where we shopped, enjoyed the art and local color. There happened to be an old car show and I was in heaven (I want something old school to drive). 

After this little tour in Oregon I realized that friends are such gifts and I am so blessed to have amazing friends to have through the trials and tribulations of life. I am sorry this post is so cheesy, but it's often times very hard to find balance in relationships in general and maintain positivity through the crazy times and I felt all goodness was achieved on this trip. It made me hope for the strong bond of a friendship which I saw with Pam and Calleen who've watched each others children grow, and also what a good relationship should be when looking at Jill and Sean and also Pam and Calleen's with their respective husbands. And finally I hope I have a daughter who is so well rounded, kind and funny as I thought Cailin (with her friends and us below) to be. Sometimes you can meet someone and know in an instant that you love them (P). And other times a trip like the one we had actually makes you value the life you lead, your friends (N&C), and makes you strive for something better, something great. 

Vistas far and wide, chickens and a rat too. The Oregon Trail part Un.

Since I am working hard and only had one chance to roadtrip and travel this August and because it was an amazing trip, I thought I would dedicate a few posts to my trip up north to Oregon so please bear with me.

Maybe it was so good because I was with my bestie and her best friend, and her best friend, maybe it was the heat and great sunshine, or the fact that I didn't have to work, or maybe it was because we were surrounded by never ending nature.....

The dry brown beauty of the land passed us along on both sides as we made our way up north. I am my mother's daughter, I tried to snap shots of cows I saw in the fields, tried to capture the overwhelming expansive forest blanketing the peaks and dales that floated towards us. Old country cars cruised the slow lane, we passed them up, Calleen knowing the open road up north like she knows her kitchen.

We stopped in Ashland, we stayed in Jacksonville, in the beautiful home of Pam and Gerald (best mates of Calleen) who had chickens, goats, a hammock, swing and a sweet Zoe dog who was chill. On our trip we went to Elk Lake, 30 minutes outside of Bend (photo above), had a nice river next to the home of Jill and Sean, where we enjoyed long walks. We took a trip to Crater lake (far above) and a ride down the Rogue river (below Cailin's friends on the river).

Those hills are rolling hills, ones that speak in the dark, that suck the fog, and withhold the summer.

On the eve of a little road trip up North (high five for sun and lakes!), I thought an update was in order. Last week and this one so far has been a whirlwind of activity that only summer seems to bring, but wait what is this weather we have here in SF? I visit the East Bay and think, 'It's like Miami over here', so very different on each side. I guess I was all wrong about comparisons between Cali and England. I love the sun, but that fog has been good for keeping me cool when climbing the hills of Noe.

Noey (my beautiful bestie) and Oja (beautiful too!)

My friend started a pool group, I am rubbish at it especially with a few beers in me, but it's nice to see people midweek. I caught up with five friends this weekend, nice long quality chats that were much needed for the relationships I value so much. I went on long walks, had dinner with two different groups, I celebrated the birthday of my friend Alaina (see below and above) whose dinner parties go down in the history books for the best food, think blackberry pie, chocolate mousse, corn pone (from scratch!) and intense conversations, you leave unable to figure out if it is the food or constant laughter that makes your stomach hurt when you walk out the door. 

I did a little dance, scratch that I did a LOT of dancing, walking down the street in Noe where I was housesitting, at a concert The English Beat (see photo below, I was thinking I needed some 80s big hair), and with a friend of mine at the house. I've been going out to dinner (probably at the downfall of my tummy and wallet), loving the variety this city has to offer. My boss is a resto guru and so I have a long list to get through, Prospect, Des Amis, Shmidts, Francis, The Salt House, and Quince (all in good time).

We kissed little baby hands and listened to music in the sunshine.

Sweet Simone in my lap.

Momma loves Simone.

And momma loves Jack, the new addition to the Vieira-Ducey family. He came a little early, but he's got such personality.

Little Jack was so subdued with music blaring and dishes banging at the resto. I love his little baby hands and he looks a bit like his daddy who I knew when he was this little.

Say cheese and pass me a corona, Sunday in Dolores (again), but this time with Debra!

Big Fela's sweet in the heat.

SF symphony serenades.

The summer has been amazing so far. I've been housesitting so living rent free and exploring new neighborhoods, walking and talking with people on the streets. Babies bring forth joy and it's been a treat to have cuddle time with the new additions to an ever expanding family/friend base.

Viva Espana! Campeones del mundo!

It was a great day yesterday, a day to remember, at least for me. It also made me realize how so different America is from the UK, how we have such different interests in our sports (something I generally don't care about). And how we have such different immigration. Maybe it is just me, missing all of my Spanish friends, loving that community....the world spinned on, nothing changed in the street here. I was called little red riding hood, or something else so unrelated to the actual excitement occurring across the ocean about a football championship,  something I used to dislike so (too much running!), but now have fallen in love with (gracias B). 

No one could comprehend the happiness I felt when Spain, a country so steeped in football history, won the highest title in the world on Sunday. Not only are they world champions, but just a few years back, they also won the Euro, my memories so close. The Spanish truly know how to celebrate and my heart flutters at the thought that I could not be where such celebrations occur (see below the link to the madness).

Photos below of the last day of the world cup, when Espana won for the first time in history, when a favorite team of mine actually won! 'Ola, ola ola ola, ola ola'....'I am still wearing red.

Poor Jill, a dutch fan.

The crowd at Civic Center

Nothing compares to the fiestas occurring in Spain, take a look here. Also click on this link here to see the commentators go wild (I am embarrassed to say I've watched this video more than once). 

Three day weekend.

I am off for some fun; nature walks, a little romp in the sea, a bonfire on the beach for the 4th, after a crazy week.

Pictures to get me in the mood!

Photo credits: www.laurelo.tumblr.com, www.acme.tumblr.com and www.mangopony87.tumblr.com

Simone Grace Frey

Below is a photo of my good friend Micaela, looking very beautiful, hours after she gave birth to her seven pound delight, Simone Grace. I want to see her this instant! But I must wait like all of her aunties so she can have some bonding time with mom and dad.

The days cruise by & it's almost July.

It's been awhile I know. I've been overwhelmed by work, but hopefully next week's load will lighten. Life has been busy with general summer activities, with Father's day (think wine, good food and lots of LOUD Bretts), my father's return to the bay, house sitting and lots of gatherings with friends. 

Last week (or was it the week before?) I went to Santa Cruz with Phannie and Noelle, (the three amigos together again!), another day we had a BBQ and a Birthday with a puppy surprise for my friend Joanne.

Tonight I am off to a play about North Beach, the Tosca Project at ACT. Here are a few photos from the past two weeks:

Save me, I'm drowning in blue.

A distant light bring us closer.

I am alone on this stretch of time.

 Everything looks great with the hipso, even a father's day bouquet.

Who doesn't love a little puppy!?

Jojo's new mother delight.

One hour makes a difference I kid you not, one hour in your day. Those eight hours from seven hours I worked in London, it is the difference between working out, it is the difference of 30 more minutes in bed, of being able to sit and watch the news in the morning while eating your jam and bread. That difference of an hour is that I feel knackered and I know when the light of summer fades and darkness comes at five I know that hour will feel more immense. I'll want it more than I want it now.  Something to work on people, let's get our hours down, our lives back.


photo from Cuba Gallery.

Bright days.

These days are filled with sunny splendor. I let something go last weekend and now I've just got that summer feeling, sweet fruit, a beer at sunset or a pound the table laugh out loud in the breeze laugh. I've been reconnecting with old friends, and discovering new ones all under the soft glow of possibilities. Life is good and so I am trying to enjoy the moment, not think about the future because it is oh so unexpected. All I can think of is the next few days, well maybe the next few months to plan something spectacular.

Photo from beautyineverything.com.

A 'get in the car and go' type feeling.

It's hard to write and blog with a full time job!

I've been thinking of what summer will bring.

I've been thinking of a road trip. 

I am talking about a 40 states type of road trip, On The Road road trip, just go and go and go, a month long type of road trip.......though only if my bum can handle it! We'll see.

Pictures to get me in the mood.

From giantcavalcade, sainaid, thedaringlife, and Lookingforneko.