Right in Our Backyard

So I started this post with the intention of telling you about the revelation I've had about all the awesome things and places we have right in our backyard here in San Fran, but, ironically, it also relates to a funny little story about our night, so I'll start there. How's that for a compound sentence?? I think I'm Queen of ridiculously long sentences...and stories. So there's a theme I suppose. Yes, I've also been told, more than once...or twice, that I could talk to a brick wall. But that's neither here nor there.

Anyway, our night was wrapping up around here and I realized that I forgot to return the movie that I rented on Sunday. I take great pride in renting from the box only when it is free and can't stand being late and actually having to pay. This is normally my wonderful hubby's fault, and I can give him lots of grief (yes, I am the cheap one). The fact that it was my fault just made paying $1.08 sting a little more.  Yes, I'm THAT cheap. I grab my purse and try to escape out the door before being caught by my two little loves when I realize that I have no keys. Kayleigh comes bounding around the corner and sees my purse in hand. "Where are you going Mommy? I want to come." Ugh. I was caught and still had no keys. I go on a mad hunt for my keys with no luck. I have a very, very, VERY bad habit of losing things. I also lack patience and get very frustrated looking for them very quickly. I usually have to try to calm myself while calling my dear husband to come find the lost item for me. I have even tried to convince him that a lost remote was in fact a good enough reason for him to leave work and come home immediately to help me. See. I do seriously lack patience. Instead of helping me on my search, he grabs the movie and decides to just run to the store to return it. Literally. Run. That was unimaginable to me. I don't run, but he has been running every day, so off he went with Kayleigh protesting because she wanted to go TOO! Don't bother attempting to explain to a toddler why she can't run to the store with Daddy. She will only tell you that she will just hold his hand and make your heart melt, and trust me. She will not understand any more than when you started.

Though I lack patience, God gave me a whole heap of tenacity. So, I continue on my search when I remember that after ballet (which went ok...better but not great for those of you wondering...all three of you) we went straight from the car to the back patio. I did my Bible study homework while the girls played. While studying, Campbell, of course, got into my purse. I quickly checked that all my medicine was there and went back to studying. I was deep in thought in my study, so I continued on after taking my purse out of her dirty, mischievous fingers. Now that I realized I had no keys, the ONLY set of keys, to my car, I remember her quest through my purse. I ask Kayleigh who is honest to a fault if she or Campbell had my keys. Campbell is totally unreliable as she will answer yes to anything. ANYTHING. Well, unless it is me telling her to do something. So Kayleigh tells me that Campbell had the keys outside under the tree. So me and the little munchkins head outside with a flashlight at 8 o'clock at night looking for my keys. I searched for a few minutes until I remember the bear sighting in our neighborhood and totally freaked myself out, so I called my neighbor, who happens to be Brett's boss's wife, to see if she would just stand outside with me. You know... in case of a bear attack. A few minutes later, Brett's boss comes trudging outside to help me look. I would be mortified at this point, except that they know me and in fact they have helped me search for keys in the grass before. We all search for almost an hour. In case you are wondering, Brett did not take that long to run to the store. He came home to a scene in the backyard and he may be embarrassed, but he joined in on the search. I decide to look in the car for the third time, and what do I find? Yes...the keys...in Campbell's carseat...where I put them when I unbuckled her. Talk about embarrassing. I would like to say that I learned my lesson, but I'm sure it will happen again. Probably soon. It has only reinforced my belief that I should just give up immediately and let me husband do the searching. He would have found it the first time he looked.

So on the the real story of the day...I got an email about local discounts for military during Fleet Week next week. It reminded me of all the places and things that we've been wanting to see and do but haven't. I thought about the short year and half we have left here, and all the things we MUST start doing. It being my birthday week and all, I think I am going to use that to convince Brett to knock a few things off our list. I am dying to go here, here and here and I really want to go to Golden Gate park a million more times before we leave. After reading my newest Sunset magazine, I am also dying to take a quick trip to Chico to let the girls play at Bidwell Park and more importantly take a few pictures at this AMAZING bridge. I think I might have gasped and squealed when I saw it in the magazine. I immediately showed it to Brett and for some reason, he lacked the same enthusiasm. I think it sounds like a perfect plan for this Saturday. Unfortunately, my husband never reads my blog. If he did, I would tell him that I need a tripod and a remote for my camera to take a family pic or two. This one and this one would be just fine. Thanks.

I am now on a mission to explore and enjoy this amazing area before our short time left here is gone. Lord knows I will be over the moon when we leave this station, but I do want to enjoy it this awesome city while we are here. Get out and enjoy the place you live along with me, even if you've lived there forever. I'll try not to be jealous of your roots. 

P.S. If you so feel inclined, you are certainly welcome to share this blog with anyone you like, especially if his name is Brett and he should be planning a fabulous birthday for his amazing wife.