Back from the Coast....
Back again from my little trip. Had a really good time....hotel was nice, great bed....enjoyed seeing the Monterey Aquarium, especially the huge tank with all the big fish....whole schools of sharks, barracuda, rays, what looked like thousands of bonitos, a gigantic sunfish.....the tank looked several stories deep, with a glass wall you could be right up next to as the fish swam mere inches from your nose...I could have stood there for hours.... It was fun running about doing the tourist thing...ate lunch at "Bubba Gump Shrimp co." This was the first one I had been to...based on the movie "forrest Gump", one of my favorite movies of all time . The tables had signs that could be changed back and forth from "Run Forrest Run" to "Stop Forrest Stop" depending on if you wanted your server to stop by your table. Food was really yummy. The server came by and asked trivia questions about the movie from time to time...there were exhibits of clothing, etc. used in the movie. I guess this is part of a chain....but it was good and I enjoyed it! Drove down the Coast Highway and stopped off a couple of times....once at Big Sur to check out this place called Nepenthe I like....a restaurant with gorgeous views of the mountains running to the sea for miles in both directions. Stopped off just north of San Simeon at this place you can see the Elephant Seal colony on their beach. Hearst Castle was enjoyable....beautiful location, loved the indoor and outdoor pools...but it made me think a lot about how a person can have all that luxury and still not be happy. You could live in that gorgeous mansion and not have peace and contentment by any means. I am still trying to recover financially from my gambling....don't have much right now....but I am enjoying life ANYWAY. One of the things that was so bad about gambling is that it took so much time and energy away from living life HAPPILY....living life with an awareness of values, honesty, and not having to be ashamed or hide things (like gambling losses). Even though chances of me living in extreme luxury the rest of my life are verrrrrry slim, I think I can take up my life from this point and make the most of it. As long as I stay away from gambling, my life can be great...if I keep focused on what is really important, like my family, friends, and staying true to my values, pursuing "healthy" interests... Like Suzi says...here's to living our "best " life....and just for today, I will not gamble.Love, dianne
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Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I love aquariums too. They have one in New Orleans we want to take Bailey to. thanks for reminding me.
Is that the Hurst mansion in Cali? My sister has been to that and showed me pics, it is beautiful.
I love what you said about keeping focused and enjoying a healthy life. You are right on track.
*smiles...
Tessa
Yes, it is in San Simeon, Ca. :-)
Your trip sounds enchanting. So nice you could get away and enjoy the scenery, food ( it sounds great) and just overall enjoying life. I too will never live in luxury, but once I get done with my gambling debt ( a few more months) I should be fairly comfortable. Right now I just thank God every day for the things I have, good health, family, and even the simplest of things like a roof over my head and not having to worry when/if my next meal will come. We are all so blessed compared to so much of the world, we do just need to stop once in a while and smell the roses. Glad to have you back.
Welcome back, so glad you had a good time. I want to see that aquarium one day, most likely after the kids are grown and on their own. I may not be able to afford luxuries like vacations right now, but at least I can take care of myself and my family. That is what is truly important. And I am also learning to live my life and be happy with what I do have, rather than what I want (or thought I wanted). That restaurant sounds like a lot of fun. Good that you can take the time to take a break and enjoy life, that is what we are here for after all.
You trip sounded so wonderful. It must of been so neat to the aquarium. You are enjoying life there is so much life can offer us when we don\'t gamble. It such a nice break when we can get away for a few days and see different things alot better than a casino. Hugs Melissa
Yaaay- I am glad you took my advice and you are doing just that - living YOUR best life. Your trip sounds refreshing and I can just picture the coast line - when I was younger I had many trips up and down the coast with my family - I lived in Ca for about 5 years on and off during my childhood. i remember hart castle too - amazing.
The best part of your journal is you wrote that you may not have millions but you have what you have and are doing the best you can with it. I am so proud of you for it.
You are amazing.
Hugs and love - you are living your best life. Suzi
awesome trip, it is nice to get away and see different things and you can only do this because you are gf, doesnt it feel good. with your help i may get there to but for now i look up to you guys who are doing it, read your entries and learn as much as i can. for today we will not gamble.. hugs t
glad you had a good trip!!!! you totally deserve it. next trip, hawaii......
for margaritas and karaoke..... with all of us gamble free people... no casinos... just beaches and sun.... yea... that sounds good. : ) see you there. lol
Sounds like a beautiful trip...yes, when we are in our \"gambling mode\" nothing else seems to matter, we don\'t stop and enjoy life anymore.
I love your JE, they are always so full of inspiration.
Thanks for sharing!