My final entry for this holiday

Day 9 cont

Got home after a few hours at the outlet (and after a new watch, my 4^th handbag of this trip and some jewellery) and a spot of house shopping (yes house shopping!) and Andy had the lunch/dinner on the go.  Smelt fantastic as we walked in and the mouth started salivating immediately!

Packed away the purchases and we all settled down to watch the World Cup final.  Andy had taped it for us and we were going to enjoy the game over lunch with Andy and I also enjoying a Corona.  One problem though – Andy didn’t tape it, LOL.  He swore he did and they have Apple TV so he searched and searched on there, but alas it wasn’t to be.  So a movie it was!

Afterwards I had to do my ice challenge.  Andy had picked up a bag of ice on the way home and Stewy kindly found another huge bag in her freezer. Sheri and her set off with delight to prepare the icing.  Once all ready I sat with my feet in the esky and once Andy came to film the girls dunked me with delight.  I swear I had a black moment – just a nano second but I am sure it was the body saying WTF?!!!  I didn’t do the feet one, which apparently I should have but at least it was an effort right?  A big shout out and thanks to all the softballers who have participated and are nominating Play for a Cure as their chosen charity – very grateful guys, even more so that you are doing it in WINTER!! #playforacure

The rest of the day was pretty lazy, another movie and a few more Coronos but by late arvo we were all in a food coma, so Stewy, Sher and I went for a drive to this Menchie place.  Frozen yoghurt which you can load up with a variety of lollies, or fruits etc. A bit like cold rock but you do it yourself and without the crushing.  Pay by the ounze and I had to fork out a massive $3.97 – ridiculous!  AND it was so delicious!  Sher's was exactly the same price!

Came home, read some emails and crashed.  Sadly I am having to kick back into my ‘normal’ way of life and that means softball emails.  I also had to make the sad decision to have to withdraw as Open whites manager, but with the work on diamond 2, me taking on the SIS coorindator role and me making the decision that Pete needs to be put first a bit more, means I can’t take on extra duties.  Time for me to not be involved in everything!  I will still be cheering for them though – they love their game for the right reasons those girls J

Day 10 – 14/7/14

My last day here in USA so of course awake at 5.30am.  I am a little sad but also excited to be going home and seeing my 3 favourite beings (excluding my nephew and nieces and mum and Andrew….).  Did a huge walk around Stewy’s neighbourhood – it really is lovely here in the hills.  It’s a bit gloomy today, perhaps America is sad to see me go – ha!

Seeing Brooke’s photos of Barcelona etc firms my resolve that my next big OS trip must be Europe – it just has to be, I can’t keep coming back here (which would be so easy by the way) but I do so love it.  The shops, the majority of folks being so polite – it really is a great country. 

This last stopover has been nice in that we have enjoyed some shops and baseball and good company but also being able to slow down a little.  I am ok, hence my continued walking in the morning (I think only once on this trip I have walked less than 10000 steps in a day), but I know Sher is enjoying the break – it’s been hard on her but she soldiers on, like the trooper she is J

Andy is at golf this morning and Stewy has her camp so the morning is ours.  I am updating this, Sher is still asleep and then I suggested we leave a little earlier tonight so we can take Andy and Stewy out for dinner before they drop us off for our midnight.  They have been the most wonderful hosts - generous with their time, their home and looking after us- I can't thank them enough :)

Some things I have learned this trip

• If it can be different, it will be
• American's are mad mad drivers
• They can be incredibly polite
• They can be incredibly rude and disinterested and this is mainly those that rely on tips?
• They don't do things by halves
• They are a proud people and nation
• The east coast and west coast are really different - from the places I have visited
• LA is mental for not having any public transport - well from what I could see and Stewy confirmed - the super highways are the biggest craziest things I have seen and you understand now why it is always so smoggy - a trillion cars on the road!
• Baseball games go on far too long
• I still love America
• But I love Brisbane, Queensland and Australia more and my next update will be when I am HOME xxx