West Coast Hoods

It is official, we are on the West Coast now!  It all still feels very surreal, and just like before our departure from Orlando I am wondering when it will all feel real!

It has taken me a full weekend of recovery from our travels in order to update our blog, it was a little crazy.  Our flight was late getting in, and I'm pretty sure we waited 30 minutes to deplane!  Once we picked up our checked baggage and got to the car lot to pick up our rental we were so ready to jump in the car and get to the hotel.  However, that is not how things went down....our car was not ready.  Hertz did not honor Todd's gold membership since we were going through a third party, and we waited another 40 minutes just to get in a car.  Lots more drama happened between those events but I will spare you the details.  Then, we got on the 405 headed North to find traffic at 11:30 Pacific time in LA....I thought Atlanta traffic was bad, but LA takes the cake! Why in the world there was completely stopped traffic at that time, I am not sure.  Don't these people know they should go to bed!  So, we finally got to the hotel, and I could barely muster the strength to pull myself out of the car into the lobby, but I knew a bed was on the other side so I did!  Only to find out (yes, again) that they had put us in a handicapped room about 3 miles away from the hotel entrance.  This wouldn't be such a big deal except for this is where we will be for the next month or two!  Breck has to be taken out to the dog run several times a day and that is a long walk, Todd will be at work the majority of the time and I can assure you no one would hear my cries for help if something were wrong all the way from Africa, and I know I am short but two and a half foot high counter tops just aren't necessary or desired!  So, famished and tired we made the long trek back to the lobby to request another room.  At which time, they tried to explain that the handicapped room was reserved for us?!?!? Not sure why, it certainly wasn't prime!  So, we got a new room, dropped our bags at the door and went to bed at approximately 2am EST!  Not only was this an exhausting journey, but can I please share what we had in tow during all of this....

We went to Whole Foods on Saturday and I even found some good gluten free frozen foods to make in our limited hotel room kitchen, in order to avoid so many meals out.  I did not read the labels, I was just too excited by all of the gluten free options, and accidentally bought things that can only be cooked in an oven and you know it...our hotel room only has two stove eyes and a microwave.  Looks like I will be back at the grocery store tomorrow to find better options for the next week!  In addition, I was so excited to pick up hot lunch while we were there.  Todd wanted pizza, and when I saw they had freshly baked gluten free options I was in...until the woman picked it up with the same spatula as she did Todd's gluten-full pizza, continued by putting it on the same cutting board and cut it with the same exact pizza wheel that had already been "glutened" and not washed.  When I told her I was no longer interested due to the gluten contamination she replied, "That's not a big deal" and put it back out for sale!  I hope no one else that is gluten free for health reasons purchased it after me!  No, thank you!  That trip was a failure.  We will try again!

On a good note, we did get to see the house we put an offer in on.  It needs a little TLC (paint, new carpet upstairs, a good cleaning, etc), but we expected that.  In addition, we loved the floorplan and could really picture ourselves in the home!  We are really excited about it.  We met the current homeowners, and they suspect we should hear from the lender in 30-60 days.  We are hoping that is the case!

Here are some additional pictures, if you have been reading my previous posts:

We got up at 5:30 am this morning, after getting in bed by 9 last night!  We are definitely still on Eastern time, but I am kind of liking this early to bed, early to rise stuff!  We went to a church that was suggested by our Pastor in Florida this morning.  When we googled it to get directions, we realized it is right across the street from the house we put an offer on!  Literally, we could walk!  We enjoyed the service, even though we missed the gym (they have a gym they just don't meet in it), familiarity of knowing everyone, set-up and tear-down, and small scale of Crosspointe! ;o)  It was nice to be in organized prayer, worship God, and be in His house after our crazy weekend!

I'm sure it is close to bedtime since I am already yawning!  Early to bed will be a good thing since Todd starts his new job tomorrow!  Please be praying for him tomorrow as I am sure he is anxious to be back in an office full time, in a new position, and with different co-workers.  He has been working both his old position and doing some things for his new position since he accepted the promotion, without any time off for the move.   Additionally, he has full days this week, they were not shy about filling his calendar.  So, please also be praying for him not to get burned out, and for me to be patient with his work/life schedule right now.  Alright, I think that's about it for now!  Besides, it's almost bedtime!! ;)

Moving Pros & Cons

I know my last post about moving did not elaborate very much on our feelings about moving, so I thought I would take a minute to share some of what we are feeling (at this moment!!)

Lets start with the not so great:
- We will greatly miss all of the friends we have made in Orlando over the last several years
- We will be further away from our families, and will miss them being in a "driveable" distance from us!
- We will miss all of our friends coming in and out of town to go to conferences and spend a few days with Mickey!!
- Everyone in California will think my Southern accent is bad until they meet Todd - we will be aliens!
- Our church has been such a great support system here, and we will surely not be able to replace it!
- I will miss restaurants that have horrible names, but are so yummy like Hannibal's and The Ravenous Pig!!
- While I know we will have other wonderful things in California, I will miss shopping and eating on Park Avenue, mornings at the French Bakery, and Saturdays at the best farmer's market!
- Brick roads, oak trees canopying charming streets, lakes on every corner, and the charm of Florida will be long gone! (who knew I would ever love anything about Florida!!)
- We will greatly miss not having state income tax -- 9.3% in CA will HURT!
- Todd will have withdrawls from the Magic, and the new Amway Arena that is not even 3 miles away from our condo!
- The unknown!!

And the great:
- Todd's new position is a wonderful thing, and a much needed change we are looking forward to
- We can find a new church, and will meet new friends!
- We can then introduce said friends to the wonderful new Southern gem in the middle of their city that they don't even appreciate, I'm sure:  Chick-fil-A !!
- I can have In-N-Out burger whenever I want it...bunless for me of course!!  If you don't know what I am talking about, see here!!
- We will be missing the worst part of the year in Florida (hot, hot, hot), and enjoying perfect weather in California during the summer
- The beach will be practically in our back yard!
- Todd is excited to be in a city that actually has pro sports other than just basketball....however, he wants to make it clear he will NOT be a Lakers or Clippers fan (who likes the Clippers, anyway??), he is staying true to the Magic!
- As a child, we lived in San Diego for a few years (my little brother is a Californian by birth) and my Aunt and Uncle and one of my cousins still live about 2 hours from LA so we will be able to visit them!  In addition, my extended family is in Seattle so it will be easier to make a trip that way!
- We will have all new weekend getaway locations!
- I'm convinced living Celiac-induced gluten-free will be much easier in the land of skinny-minis on Fad Gluten Free Diets!

Well, that's it for now!  I'm sure I will have so many more thoughts on this, but will spare you from reading more until a later date!

Orlando Bucket List

Before the craziness of house hunting ensues, Todd and I decided to make a list of all the things we want to make sure we do in Orlando before we leave.  So, while over dessert and drinks at Park Plaza Garden on Park Avenue last night (one down!), we made our list.  We understand that this may be impossible to complete, but we will certainly try our hardest!

Dessert & Drinks at Park Plaza Garden

- Dexter's - Todd needs one more dose of cha cha chips with lava mustard!
- The Columbia - either the original in Tampa or the one in Celebration for one last pitcher of the best mojitos ever!!!
- Berns Steakhouse - Tampa's world-famous steakhouse, with an entire dessert room! (maybe a congratulatory dinner for Todd, me being completely selfless in this!)
- Magic Game - we just need to go!
-Dubsdread - We have to go with our friends Tony & Kelly as it is one of their favorite places to have a drink and dinner on the back porch overlooking the golf course....you would almost think we were back in the South!
- The Ravenous Pig - Their menu changes daily to reflect what is in season and what they are able to get from their local farmers.  The bleu cheese tart salad, and mussels with truffle fries keep us coming back!  Oh, and they have my favorite Athens, Georgia beer on tap, Terrapin!
- Hannibal's - another horribly named restaurant that is amazing - their steak with peppercorn sauce is just phenominal!  ...and I love the oversized blue suede lounge chairs you can slouch down in post-way-too-much-steak!
- The Boat Tour - definitely aimed at older folks, but Todd and I love looking at all the big mansions on the lakes of Winter Park...and for only $10 we're in!
- Disney - We have to go say bye to Mickey and Minnie....they will surely wonder where we went after the numerous trips we made with family and friends over the past year, and our own trips to Epcot's food & Wine Festival (Thank you Epcot for wonderful gluten-free seminars this year!! -- and gosh to whomever decided it would be a great idea for people with food allergies to get wonderful treatment and options in all Disney restaurants!)
- Colibri - I had to save it for last, as it is Todd's #1 must do....chips and salsa with margaritas on the patio overlooking the lake....sounds like a good closing to this chapter to me!

Cooking Gluten Free!

I just had to share what I have been doing all day!  Cooking like crazy!!  I am so tired of limited gluten free options, and dinner being an ordeal some nights because of it!  Now all of this food is freezer bound and ready for an easy, re-heatable dinner in the near future!  I must also say...I love my labeler!!!

Todd's in the Kitchen!!

As some of you may remember, Todd lost a March Madness bet to me six or so months ago!  If I won, he had to cook me dinner and dessert and choose a wine pairing!  For the last several months, he made excuses like, "It takes me a long time to plan a meal!"  He would be eating cereal every night if it took me months to plan one meal!  I was really over it, and had come to the realization he was not going to pay up, he would probably never cook a meal for me, and that I should never wager a home-cooked meal when placing bets with him in the future! 

However, he surprised me when he offered to go to the grocery store for me yesterday, and had 4 pages of printed recipes in tow! 

He came home with scallops, mixed baby greens, parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, a bottle of wine, and green onions among other things!  I was so impressed at this point, I don't even think it required him to actually cook the food he had brought home!

He started making dinner last night, and I have to admit it was very entertaining.  I sat at the bar with the camera and a glass of wine! 

I tried to stay out of it, and let him do it completely on his own.  Todd seemed a little bit perplexed as to how to time everything, and forgot about the asparagus he planned on cooking and the noodles for his sauce until I reminded him (like a good wife - ha).  So, he let the scallops sit in his simmering wine butter sauce until the aspargus was ready, and the scallops were nice and rubbery!

I was still very impressed, since he was very ambitious with his meal and the sauce, salad, and asparagus were great!  This is how it turned out (notice his plating and setting of the table):

Todd did find some yummy recipes, but has no idea what websites he got them from!  He made a dressing for the salad that was great!  I will have to use it again....2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tbsp honey, and 4 cloves minced garlic.  He tossed the mixed baby greens in the dressing and topped it with shredded parmesan and dried cranberries. 

Todd also found a wonderful macaroon recipe that he paired with ice cream for dessert!  The dessert was a comedy of errors including not being able to use the cookie scoop, and thinking the cookies were gluten free when the recipe called for wheat flour, but the cookies turned out amazing!  For this recipe, he was supposed to whip the egg whites in one bowl, and mix the dry and wet ingredients seperately.  I caught him in time, as he did not whip the eggs, and was ready to start dumping all the ingredients in one bowl to simply mix them together!  Unlike many things in life, he was very disappointed to find out, he actually had to read the section of the recipe that says 'directions'.   Maybe baking is not his forte!

So, now that I know Todd can cook, I am looking forward to a night or two off each month!  Even if it's not a great meal, I know I can plan on some pre-dinner entertainment! :o)