My weekend.

My weekend was good, I hope yours was as well. We traveled home Friday from LA, and the airline left my bag in Dallas, presumably because they thought my dirty socks needed an extended vacation. It came in on the next flight and they delivered it, no problem. My trips to LA have given me 2 experiences I've never had before, last year I missed my flight to Des Moines from St. Louis, do to the storms in Dallas that delayed my plane from LA. Man, funny how things that seem totally unrelated, are indeed related. Lets hope I have neither of those problems this week, or the days I travel home from South Africa.

Friday I went to an MMA fight, and heard something I never guessed I would ever hear. We were sitting at our table, VIP with a great view I might add (thanks Chad for hooking us up), when two ladies approached us selling raffle tickets to win a tattoo. The one lady was a bit older, maybe mid to late 40's, the other was early 20's and nearly naked. The tried the sales pitch they had picked out for us, but there were no takers. Then, the older lady asked if we'd buy one if she showed us a naked picture of her daughter? I happy to say that we all said no at the table, before we even knew who her daughter was. I think we all thought that her daughter might be the girl standing next to her, but we could pretty much see everything anyway, so why pay. The older lady lifted up the sleeve of her shirt, revealing a tattoo of a naked girl on her are. She informed us that it was her daughter, who was 21 and HOT! Interesting way to describe your own daughter, but to each their own. The fights were fun and the guys I go with make it an enjoyable night out. Looking forward to the next one.

Saturday started out with tubing down the Des Moines river. It was a 7 or 8 mile float. There were 14 of us, all tied together, and it was a blast. I've never been tubing down a river, but would definitely do it again. When we pulled up to the launch point, Mason was making some whimpering sounds, like a puppy looking for its mom, so I asked him what was up. He said the river looked a bit scary, and to be honest with you, I wasn't sure how this was going to go over with the boys. The water was dirty and appeared to be moving at a pretty good clip, plus, the river is fairly wide. I assured him that he would be fine, he had a life jacket on, in an inertube and we would be right there. He calmed down and we hit the water. It took all of about 30 seconds for him to be comfortable enough to jump out of the tube and swim around to visit other tubers, while floating down a river. I swear that kid has no fear when it comes to water. Max spent the whole trip on either my lap or Marcy's. Makiah did great at the beginning, struggled with fear in the middle, then was OK again. He couldn't tell us what the freakout in the middle was about, makes it hard to try and help him through when he can't even tell you what it is. It took a couple of hours and the staff at Seven Oaks was great, very helpful. I'd recommend a trip, if you so have the desire. I mentioned the river was dirty, well, it is a river. I wore a shirt to avoid sunburn and not subject anyone to my whit flabby body and at the end, my shirt appeared to have filtered the river water, making it cleaner for everyone else. I'm determined to loose some of my flabbiness when I get back. After the float, we headed home to have a birthday party for Michelle. I was grill master, which always makes me a little nervous. I don't want to burn everything, or worse, dry it out. According to my numbers, I only turned 2 burgers into blackened, Cajun style, I think everything else was good. The party was a lot of fun, even though I didn't know very many people. I'm not always big on meeting new people, I'm not a chatterbox unless I know you, but the people were really nice, so I did get to know a few. The kids swam in the pool, the money we spent on that has been well worth it.

I hope your weekend was just as much fun. If not, work on that.

Almost home

I'm spending my last night at a hotel outside of LAX, ready to head home in the morning. It has been a good trip, got all my warehouses counted, spent a few days walking rail yards and a little time with Marcy. I think she is going to want to do this more often, whenever we can. I guess having a few days to do what you want, when you want, without having to make 3 PB&J's and answer questions from your husband, was a welcome break. She is anxious to get home to the boys, so the length of the stay was probably just right. I loved having her with me. The nights when I travel are usually boring, since I don't really want to go out and "party." The hotel in Dana Point was great, really helpful and treat you they way you want to be treated. Marcy even received a call from the bellboy, asking if her stay was going well. I had to ask her about that, seemed a little friendly to me:)

The news while we were out here was filled with people from my childhood, dieing. Ed McMahon was the best straight man ever. I woke up at 4 am, 6 am at home, and heard the news. One of the clips they were showing was the funniest thing I ever saw between them. Johnny Carson was looking at a cat of some kind in a cage, it turned and swiped at him and growled. Johnny turned and ran and jumped into Ed's arms. The look on Johnny's face was perfect and Ed played right along. Makes me laugh just thinking about it. Then Farrah. Oh how I loved her as a child. I was a Jacklyn Smith fan, but I had Farrah on my wall and on my mind for a few years. Then today, Michael Jackson. I'm torn on him. I loved his music, still do, but everything that he was accused of was a bit of a downer for me. I know he was found innocent, but so was OJ Simpson and I'm not in agreement with that decision either. The evidence I heard against MJ was pretty compelling, but I certainly didn't hear it all. Regardless, I remember running home to see the Thriller video, day after day. Sounds gay, but it was awesome, still is. Whenever I think of him singing, I also see Weird Al Yancovic as well. His songs were hilarious. The main networks here in LA are all on the MJ story, and nothing else. I hope that changes before prime time, there are just so many interviews with people on the street that I can watch. I swear they find the dumbest people, ask them the simplest question, and wait to hear the dumbest answer. I'm baffled by the crowds at the hospital. Why go and stand on the sidewalk with a bunch of people? Maybe it's like group therapy, not sure, but there are pockets of people all over the city. They gathered on 2 spots at the hospital, on his star on the walk of fame and in front of his house. I'm guessing there is a group at the old ranch he owned and in Gary, IN, where he is from. I think I'll drown my sorrows in my hotel room, with a steak.

Hello from CA!

A quick post before I hit the hay. We are having a good time in Dana Point. Marcy and I got here yesterday morning and made it to Dana Point in time for lunch. We spent several hours walking on the waterfront, very nice, and even drove to Laguna Beach. The area is great, I think I could live here. Tonight, after dinner at a table over looking the water, we watched a few seals swim around. One decided that a large fishing boat looked like a good place to hop up on for a snooze. We couldn't get a shot of him on the back of the boat, but I have a shot of him in the water, but you can barely see him, so hardly worth a post. I had some Mahi-Mahi for dinner, it was excellent, then we walked the waterfront again. The 119 steps from the water to the hotel is hard to do after a big dinner, I don't recommend it so soon after the belly fill up. Today, Marcy was able to walk on the beach, do some shopping and worked out in the fitness center. I'm glad she is able to relax and re-charge. The boys are having a great time. Kay is keeping them busy with activities and of course, the pool has been a huge hit since I put it up. I jumped in on Sunday after I mowed the grass, it was a good cool down, seeing as the water temp feels like the single digits.

In the morning, I head back to my warehouse and count railcars. The weather should be upper 70's, which is awesome. The temps here at the beach are almost cold, I love it.

Had to share.

Watch this video of John Cheatem singing. He goes to my church, where this was recorded, and he is amazing. He has never had a lesson, but has a gift from God. Every time I hear him sing I get a lump in my throat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phRhrDauCos

and another

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNAa-y0bRJM&feature

Going back to Cali, Cali, Cali

Not sure if you remember that song, but had to toss it in. I'm on my way back to California to work at one of my warehouses in Buena Park and then a warehouse and rail yard in Chino. I'm looking forward to this trip more than usual since Marcy will be traveling with me. I always feel better when I travel if I have someone with me. I informed her that she will probably have to go to Chino with me since we will head to our second hotel by the airport after working, don't want to have to drive all the way back to Dana Point. I'll get her out in the yard with me, knocking on railcars. Actually, we may get done a heck of a lot faster if she does help. Might get us to our hotel faster, maybe into the pool or something. Coming home, I wasn't able to get us on the same flight, so I'm coming back through Dallas, she is coming back through Chicago. We still get to Des Moines at about the same time, if there aren't too many delays. We leave LA at the exact same time, 7:10 am. I'm guessing we must be doing a synchronized take off, since I don't see any other way that we could both have the same departure time. If all goes well, I'll be home Friday afternoon, just in time to go to an MMA fight in Des Moines. That's a good end to the week. Then, I will have 6 days to get packed and ready for my trip to Africa. Won't you be glad when I shut my yapper about Africa? I bought a pair of hiking boots and have been wearing them around, making sure they are broken in before I use them for any serious hiking. I still haven't figured out how I'm going to pack what I need, but I'll see what I can do. I'm going to weigh my bag so hopefully I stay under the 50 lbs, since I need to bring things back as well. If anything interesting happens in CA, I'll post, otherwise, I'll talk to you when I get back.

Happy Fathers Day!

I hope everyone who is a father is either having or had a great day. I'm always torn on this day, glad to have my boys, but always sorry my dad never got to meet them. I love being a dad, even though I have no idea what I'm doing. The post I had a few days ago about dads is a good one, even though the money part has never been an issue, the rest of it is good advice. I hope I can stay focused on the goal. I love my dad, always will, and I miss him a lot, even though we rarely spoke on the phone and I only got to see him once or twice a year. He worked hard all his life, never had a cushy executive job. He was a bread man, worked at a gas station, owned his own restaurant and worked for a piano manufacturer(I'm sure there were more, but that is all I can remember). I learned my "never above any job" attitude from him. I myself have scrubbed toilets, mopped floors and scraped gum off the bottom of restaurant tables, just to make ends meet. What has that taught me? People don't know how to pee in public restrooms properly, spilled soda can get sticky enough to pull off a loafer if not taken care of promptly, and gum scrapped from the bottom of tables usually still has a little flavor left. Dad once told me a story that I always love, and can totally relate to. He got a job at a slaughter house, working in the office. On day one, new employees always got a tour of the plant. He said, once he saw the blood and got the explanation of how "it" occurred, not only was that day his first, but also his last. He didn't become a vegetarian, but he had a much better idea of the process and was thankful for those that did "it." My dad was a smartass, so you can thank him for that trait in all of my brothers and sisters. Funny how that trait skipped me. There is so much I wish I could share with him, but that opportunity won't happen here on earth. I'm glad I had the time I did with him, I look forward to seeing him again, but not quite yet. Thanks for everything, Dad!

What?

I saw this on a new styling, curling, blower thingy that Marcy bought.



OK, this can be used on wet OR dry hair? Is there another option I'm not aware of? Is damp a choice, but just not a recommended stage of hair for this product to be used on? It says it can be used on dry hair, to dry hair. Doesn't that seem to be overkill. Can you dry something that is all ready dry. I think the government is involved in this somehow.

Get off the phone!

Drivers seem to piss me off more and more. I live on the west side of town and drive to the east side for work, so I'm in the car for 15 to 20 minutes each way. The number of people who don't use their turn signal is astronomical, which isn't the big problem, its the guy who decides that even though he is going 20 mph slower than me, will switch into my lane, without using his signal, approximately 3 feet in front of me, causing me to stomp my brakes. If slow poke wants to do 55 mph in a 65 mph zone, that is his business but keep your slow ass out of the far left lane, or the fast lane as I like to call it. I've had the argument with people in the past who tell me it isn't the "fast" lane, that's a given, but I was taught in drivers education, oh so many years ago, that it is the passing lane. If you are pedalling your Geo Metro at a top speed of 7 mph, move your ass to the right, you ain't passing anyone. If you want to argue about not speeding, I hear you, I shouldn't, but you clogging up the artery doesn't slow people down, for long, it just causes more lane changes which are far more dangerous than me going a bit over the posted speed limit, but staying in the same lane.
I'm also amazed at the number of people that feel the need to apply the brake before they switch lanes. Most times, that isn't necessary, put on your signal, look in your mirror, make the move. I don't see where it is advantageous for any of us, for you to stomp brakes, look in your mirror, hit the gas for another 20 feet, then stomp the brakes again because the time freezing portal didn't open up to allow you to get into the next lane. Freaking plan ahead, put down your phone and read the signs that are posted for just that reason, so you can figure out how to get to where you are going. I drive past an interchange where you have to veer right to go west and go straight to go south. I'm amazed at how many people figure out with 2 feet to spare, that they need to be 4 lanes over RIGHT NOW, and they go for it. Despite the fact that there were signs, warning them of the split 2 miles back, again 1 1/2 miles back, a mile back and the road signs are painted on the freaking road. Yet everyday, and I mean everyday, somebody whips across, usually driving on the shoulder because they missed the turn. I've seen people back up on the interstate to get back to the exit they missed. People, people, people, go the extra mile to the next exit and make a youey, don't die, or kill someone, because you wanted to get home before the Simpsons started. I was driving somewhere with my brother Brian and his family and we passed a guy who was backing down the highway to get to his missed exit, only he was on the road not on the shoulder. Luckily Brian saw them and swerved over and missed him. Of course he had to run a small bus from an orphanage off the road, but I'm still here, so it's all good since it is all about me. I will admit that I backed down a toll road in KY and 1am once. We passed a car in the middle of know where that was pulled over on the shoulder with no flashers and a lady standing outside. Since she didn't have any flashers, I was right on top of her before I saw her, but I managed to pull over, get stopped and then discussed with Brian, do we walk back and see if she needs help or do I back up to her? Well the road was empty, so I figured I'd back up. Wouldn't you know that was when a party let out or something and a bunch of cars showed up and damn near rear ended me as I backed slightly into the road. OK, it was a dumbass move, but it was dark and I wasn't going to walk down this road, at night, without a gun. I saw Deliverance. I know what happens in the back woods to outsiders, and I have a purty mouth.
People who like to race off the line at the stop light so they can merge over in front of me, then slow down to below speed limit. I swear I'm getting one of those cop bumpers so I can push them either faster or off the road and out of my way.
So now lets talk about the dumbasses going 10 to 15 mph UNDER the speed limit. I'd rather have someone blow my doors off as they go by than get stuck behind a pair of knuckles on the steering wheel going 20 mph in a 35 mph zone. George Carlin had a joke once that went, "Did you ever notice that anyone going slower than you is an idiot and anyone going faster than you is an f-ing maniac. Well put my friend, well put.

Being the Best Dad

I liked this, it's something I need to keep in mind, maybe you need to as well.

Being the Best Dad

Being the best dad that you can be does not necessarily mean that you have to make a lot of money or that you have to be a perfect father. What it does mean is that you should give the best effort that you possibly can to make sure that you are there for your children so that they know they can rely on you no matter what the situation may be.

Too many dads get caught up in the idea that making money is their number one priority in life. Many dads will believe that this represents fatherhood and that they are somehow less of a parent if they are not making a lot of money. But, making money is only one way that you can contribute to your child's life.

Sometimes just being a person that they can turn to is more than enough. Or it might mean attending their sports games or their dance recitals and cheering them on no matter how well they do in competition.

No matter what you might have been conditioned to feel, being a parent to your child does not depend on your ability to make money only. It depends on your ability to make your children the number one priority in your life. And when you can honestly say that this is the truth, then you are being the best parent that you can be.

Being a dad means spending good quality time with your children first and foremost. This is what they will remember of you as they grow up, not the size of your bank account.

You call that a steak?

The other night, I was invited to a dinner with my office at a nice restaurant here in Des Moines, some might say the finest restaurant in DM. This is the kind of place where a bowl of Mac n Cheese is $7.95, no shit, check it out. I decided to have the prime rib, not something I have the ability to get very often and I was sure it would be better here than at any restaurant I would normally go to. Plus, I don't think McDonalds carries prime rib. I know they have the McRib, which is awesome, but not the same. I decided that the "single cut" was all I needed. I don't remember how many ounces it was, but when it showed up, I was glad I didn't go any bigger. A friend at the table went with the "801 cut," which appeared to be a five pounder, but I think it was more like 26 ounces. Regardless, when they backed the truck up to deliver this slab, he was re-thinking his decision. He couldn't eat it all, so he had one hell of a tasty doggy bag. The meal was fantastic and we all had a good time, getting to know each other a little better and laughing, a lot. The next day, the news was shared that a co-worker had passed away the night before. I didn't know her very well, our jobs didn't cross very often, but she was always nice to me and asked me regularly how Marcy was doing after her hospital stay. It's always strange when you loose someone in your life unexpectedly, there seems to be a hole. It's much worse when it is a family member. I lost my step-mother suddenly and it was a shock. You think you didn't get to say something that you should of, or didn't do something that would have been nice. I think the biggest regret people have is, they didn't tell them how much they meant to them. I'm terrible at telling people that I love them, and I have no idea why or have a good excuse for it. I'm not 15 years old and trying to look cool by dissing people with a smirk when they say it to me, no, I'm telling them right back. But that isn't good enough, I need to say it for it to mean more. I'm blessed to have a great family, even those that I don't see that often, and a bunch of friends that not only tell me they will be there when I need them, they are there. To my brothers and sisters, we have been through so much together. We watched as both our mother and father took their last breath, and cried with each other until we couldn't cry anymore. We have laughed, alot, and at inappropriate times, but always with love. I know I can count on each of you, Steve, Vickie, Lisa and Brian, and I want you to know that I love you so much. I'm choking up as I write this, knowing that you love me just as much and that is an incredible feeling. Vickie, stop crying, people at work are going to think you are crazy. To my beautiful wife, thanks for being there for me. I'm so glad you didn't die, I would be lost without you. (sorry, I had to throw a in joke, although serious, because Vickie is still crying) I can't believe that we have been married for almost 10 years. What a crazy run we have had. Thanks for the three nut bags we call kids, they are an endless source of laughs, surprises and lessons learned. Sorry for all of the mushy stuff, but sometimes something happens to snap you back to reality. I leave for Africa in 16 days, and although I have no fear that anything bad will happen, if something does, I want you all to know that I love you. I'm pretty sure the only people who read this are family and a few friends, and you are who I'm talking to. Yes, you. Thanks for all that you do for me! My next post will have 1/10th of the mush, the rest will be anger.

Holy crap, 22 days!!!!!!

I just returned from an informational meeting for my South Africa trip and man am I excited. We got a breakdown of our daily schedule and went over all of the legal aspects of the trip, insurance, liability (actually, non-liability)and stuff like that. Still not 100% where we will be staying, but on mission trips, you just have "go with the flow", to quote John Candy from Planes, Trains and Automobiles, one of the best movies of all time. The group got to know each other, a little bit, and they all seem like a fun bunch. A good sense of humor, which you know I live for. One lady had even been warned about Chad and I, so I see our reputations proceed us. She is apparently friends with Kristi, who Chad and I go to Mexico with every year and knows us both all to well. She would be fun to have with us in Africa. I'm glad when the discussion came to money, I didn't have to worry about how I was going to come up with mine. Thanks to all of you, I'm ready to go, no deadlines, no kidney sales. That might not be the case soon, seeing as how our air conditioner at home is dead and the repair seems to be almost as much as a new one, so we are having that quoted tomorrow. Sucks to have to pay 2 companies to come out and look at your broken piece of junk, then pay again to get the damn thing fix or replaced. I digress. I received my flight schedule and the layover in Atlanta is only 4 hours instead of the 8 we were expecting, much better. They also gave us three books, Called - which gets you prepared for a mission trip. Challenged - which I'm sure this trip will do that to us, and Changed - which I KNOW this trip will do. I'm no rookie when it comes to mission trips, but they all change you in one way or another. Even Juarez, which I've done 4 years plus this last year in El Paso, changes me every year. This trip will be a complete shock to what I know and find comfortable. Chad and I were emailing today, and I told him that I want to really focus on where I am and what I'm there to do. I don't want to waste one minute of my time there, seeing as how I may never get the chance to go back. Usually on mission trips, you get to focus, on the job and on God. Why has he sent me here? What am I suppose to learn from this? What am I supposed to bring home? A friend told me something, years ago, when I cam back from a mission trip. I was feeling lost, depressed and guilty, actually. I have so much and they have so little. Why am I so privileged and they are not? I'm certainly not better than them. I'm lucky, pure and simple. Lucky I was born in the US. Lucky I was born into a family who isn't rich, but is by no means poor. I look at my house, then the ones we build in Mexico, then at where people live in parts Mexico and parts Jamaica, I'm rich beyond some of their wildest dreams. So when I told this friend how I was feeling, wishing I could go back and live there full time, even though that wasn't what God was telling me, my wise friend said, "God is using you here. God wants you physically here, but your heart is with the people you served." It was and is. You can't go on a trip like this and come back the same, it isn't possible. I was depressed for several months after my first trip to Mexico. Over the years, it has gotten easier, but it's still there. I've read a few books about Africa and I'm in the middle of a large one, but I still have no idea what I'm in for. I'm thankful I get to be a part of this wonderful ministry and hope that I make a difference in some peoples lives. I know when we hand over the keys to the houses we build in Mexico, I get a feeling inside me that I can't explain, but when you get it, you crave it. You know God has sent you to do something, you listened and obeyed and then you get to see the result. Now, I get to give this gift to a bunch of kids that have had a really crappy hand in life dealt to them. How lucky am I to make a change for them? I can tell them that I was sent there by God, because he loves them regardless. There was a long stretch of my life when I never thought I would be able to say that, to anyone let alone myself. Sounds like we may be able to meet the kids that will be living in the homes. I can't imagine a better end to the trip, pray that happens, but I just may explode if it does.

Einsteins retarded cousin

I think I see a rocket scientist and her soon to be welfare recipient.

Craigslist

I'll admit it, I'm slow to try new technology. I didn't get a cell phone until absolutely everyone I knew, had one. I was late to digital cameras, digital camcorders and all kinds of computer stuff. I just bought my first HD TV, which I don't think I'm as late on as I was with everything else, but most of my friends all ready have one. I got my first DVR this year, and believe me, my friends teased me about not being able to watch the TV shows we liked because I wasn't home and I didn't have a functioning VCR. Along those lines, I'm not big into Craigslist. OK, it's not exactly technology, but it is the way people buy and sell things lately, maybe replacing Ebay, just a bit. I have a few things around the house, that I decided I would give away or sell on the site. I wanted to start off slow, so I choose an item to give away, therefore, not dealing with the bargaining that comes with the Internet garage sale. I don't do garage sales. I don't go to them and I most certainly don't hold them. I tell Marcy, I'll help get the stuff down from the attic or up from the basement, but that is the end of my garage sale "help." I really don't have the patience to argue with people about the worth of my crap. I'd assume set it on fire than try to get $.05 out of you. My thought is, Goodwill is here for a reason. That being said, I have no problem with Marcy holding one, but just know that I won't be around to help, not even long enough for you to go to the bathroom. Your sale items will have to be left unattended for you to take a potty break. I try not to let Marcy go to garage sales, mainly because she buys shit and we don't need more. I don't care if it was $.50, it's crap and I don't want to be picking that up off the floor, along with 1,000,000 other things I have to pick up. Back to the list, I placed an add for a free weight bench that was in my garage, collecting dust and taking up room. I placed the add at 4:26pm and they said it could take up to 15 minutes to post. At 4:42pm, I received an email asking if I still had it. Still have it? I barely had time to read the email that Craigslist sent me telling me my add was posted, when BING, this guys email shows up. We went back and forth a bit, but he said he was on his way. There were 4 more emails before I could get back out to remove the add. By 6:00pm, it was gone. I have 999,997 toys I'd like to give away, do you think I'd get the same quick response if I tried to get rid of them the same way? I could send Marcy and the kids to a movie and CLEAN HOUSE!!!!!!

Music

A friend of mine from high school has written some music with a friend of his, and I think it's really good. I wanted to share, so if you get a chance, head over to their site and see what you think.

WOW!

So my niece Makenzie, who is really interested in photography, took this picture.


I think it is incredible! The girl in the picture is her sister, Elaina, who always takes good pictures. I just wanted to brag her up, so when you see one of her pictures in a magazine a few years from now, you can say you heard about her here first.

Do you feel guilty?

Every time I find myself sitting at home, doing nothing, I feel guilty. I have so much that I want to get done, notice I didn't say "need" to get done. I'm trying to take more time to play with the kids instead of completing tasks, but then the stuff doesn't get done, or it takes a year to finish something. We finally have the garden in, after 3 years of trying to get the dang thing built and planted, but that is more work as well. It has to be weeded, watered and cared for. We need to finish painting Mason's room, his furniture should be here soon. I need to fix the walls in the front room so we can paint and get carpet down, but we are under a deadline since it is under a claim with the insurance that will expire soon. The list goes on and on, doors need to be hung in the basement, shelves need to be built, deck needs to be sealed, playground too. Not to mention we have now promised Makiah a new paint job for his and Max's new room. That means we need to get the other bedroom ready for an office. Yet here I sit, typing away at the computer, still sweaty from kicking a ball around with the boys for an hour. I know it all doesn't have to be done, and my life won't be any easier because it is done, but I hope there is a day, some time, where I don't have one project that I need to get done. I can relax, without guilt. When that day comes, I'm guessing you will all be attending my funeral, and you can close the lid on my casket, the final job. At least I know I can relax after that.

Good news!

As you might remember, when I planned the surprise trip to Hawaii for Marcy, my excuse for her to pack warm was to tell her that we were going to Southern California, where I would work at one of my warehouses and she could relax at the hotel and beach. I went there last June, but had her convinced that I needed to go back in Jan., then pulled the old switcheroo and took her to paradise instead. Now, I have to go back to LA at the end of the month, so I asked her to go with me again. We were able to find a sitter for the kids, so we are off to LA for a few days. I sent her the link to where we are staying, she should be able to find things to do to fill her day. There is shopping, the pool or the beach. I'd be happy with those options. The best thing is, my trip is paid for and we are staying in a hotel that we couldn't afford on our own. Maybe I will have the Sea Bass again, it was yummy.