Urban Hike to Patton State Hospital

I

.62 miles 13.58 minutes Just Me

Small Trail Walk With Kids

.89 Miles

27.45 minutes

1 adult

4 kids

1 dog

5 Reasons to Visit a National Forest

1. Fresh Air

  Fresh air is always good. Good for the mind, good for the body and for the soul. Your kids will thank you later for getting away from the electronics. 

2. Smokey The Bear

  I'm sure you remember him telling you how to prevent Forrest fires. Now you can get info to your kids, and share a fond memory or two of your childhood. 

3. Nature Centers

  Search info on your local National Forrest. A lot of them have Nature Centers, usually with free educational programs. The rangers are so helpful.

4. Science in Action

 All the science of nature your kids learn from books and movies comes to life. Be safe of course, but you get to see trees older than your oldest living relative. You get to see and feel the different textures from nature.

5. Junior Forrest Ranger Program

   Your kids will love this, and trust me you will as well.

Happy Adventuring!

Originally posted 7.20.13

Photo Essay: Perris Hill Park Trail Sunday Morning Hike

Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory.
Ed Viesturs

Getting Outside

I have been trying more recently to get my kids outside everyday. Sometimes it is just outside in our year playing, or it can be a park visit. We took the kids fishing recently and they enjoyed that even though we didn't catch anything. They got to explore one of our local regional parks and had fun. We know have an annual pass to use the regional park without paying an entry fee. I wish they had annual fishing passes, that is where we end up putting out lots of money. I recently got word on a couple places that we can fish without having to pay per person. In California fishing is allowed without a permit for children under 16, so right now that is all but one of our children.
On they way we have an Interagency Access Pass as well from the Forest Service. The kids are pretty excited to go hiking, learn about more plants, and have picnic when we hike. I do know there will be  a lot of adjustment as we have not been doing all these activities since we moved almost three years ago. We basically became home bodies with an occasional trip to the museum. That is no way to really live. We still love our local museum and keep a membership there. They offer many events throughout the year.
My birthday was yesterday and I was gifted an Amazon gift card so I ordered myself some shoes and a shirt. I thought ahead an ordered winter boots that I am very excited for. The other shoes are a low top hiking shoes, both are by the brand Keen. I asked around and did some of my own research. I have flat feet, a bad foot fracture heal, and bad knees. I will update hodtstw the shoes work out.
Now it starts where we budget in proper shoes for the other seven people in the family. I learned in the Marines and coming from a family of diabetics that foot health is very important. I have made a list on Amazon with some of the things we will buy slowly and I am hoping I can find a good portion of these things as local thrift and discount stores. Everything is an adventure!

Viva una vida adventurera!

Makuill Ollin Ocelotl Círculo De Danza Azteca

Last weekend my husband went to our local citrus harvest festival. We went alone, without our six kids and I am so glad we went. We saw all the usual 1800's type of things, cold panning, wool spinning, and accurate costumes. There was a classic car show, old business trucks, the historical society and loads of vendors.

When we were walking to a local church on the harvest festival route, we saw a dance circle setting up. So we stopped because it's one of my favorite things and something I had always wanted to be apart of.  The group is called Makuill Ollin Ocelotl Círculo De Danza Azteca. They danced beautifully and I got some of it on video.

OOTD & Dressember Day 4

Dress is from Torrid (no longer for sale, Spring 2016 clearance)

Bolero is from Torrid (no longer for sale, circa 2011)

Belt is from Torrid (came with another dress I got at Goodwill)

Glasses are Zenni Optical

Earrings are from Arte De Familia

Hair Flower is made by me

Please donate to my Dressember Fundraiser

OOTD & Dressember 4

Please see my Dressember link to donate to help the fight against human trafficking.

https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/860173

OOTD: Is there A Ghost

Hat : No Name from Ross

Blouse:  Alfani from Goodwill 

Skirt: Old Navy from Goodwill

Shoes: Dollhouse from Ross
Glasses: Zenni Optical
Watch: Apple Rose Gold
Bracelets: Kmart

bow that my three year old put on me : Two Chicks Bowtique
No makeup or hair products today.

Book Review: The Veins of the Ocean by Patricia Engel

I recently became the city coordinator for the local chapter of Las Comadres & Friends Latino Book Club. Every month there is a new main book, and one other book to read. The main book for November happened to be this book I had been wanting to read.
This is not Patricia Engel's first book she has a few other books out Vida, and It's Not Love, It's Just Paris are two of them.  The Veins of the Ocean was named a New York Times Editors' Choice.
When I received  The Veins of the Ocean in the mail I started reading it immediately. It took me awhile to read only because I stretched it out. I was afraid of the ending. It follows the sad and emotional story of Reina Castillo. Reina was born in Colombia, and carries many of the traditional beliefs and omens about her life. She feels the obligation of family suffering, she was the baby born after the death of another baby. She harbors guilt over a murder he beloved brother Carlito committed. After another family tragedy she sets to the road in Florida. She leaves her mother to her life, and is hoping to feel free from the prison of her mind and family legacy.
She meets man a bit older than her named Nesto. He is a refugee from Cuba with his own burdens and sadness. He is trying to escape the hardships of his past, while still living in the sadness of it. He has children in Cuba. Nesto feels he can not truly move forward in life without them with him. While he tries to help free Reina of her sadness and guilt they agree they will live for today. Neither one feel they can truly belong to each other, with the weight of their families wrapped around them.
This book was written so elegantly and does have so much sadness in it. The characters are so real. The settings are so vivid with the words that Patricia Engel uses. You will visit different parts of Florida, Colombia, and Cuba in this book. Through the characters and their process of becoming you will find out the meaning of the ocean and how she is a multifaceted goddess. You will see indigenous beliefs weaved in with Catholicism, you will see what is beneath the surface.


To purchase this book on Amazon:  click here
Patricia Engel's Goodreads Page

Recent Finds

I will start out what I found at Walgreens on my last trip. I love going and looking around Walgreens, earning my points and using coupons.  They have Covergirl lipsticks BOGO 50% off. So of course even though the Katy Kat Matte wasn't marked, I asked. You know it is a Covergirl line, and it was part of the sale. As of writing this it still is.
I picked up these two glitter eyeshadows from Wet n' Wild. They seems be put out more around the holidays. I could be wrong and maybe I just notice them more at the holiday time. of course I got a new large eyeshadow brush.

Next we have my $1 clearance hoops from Kmart. These things are huge. You must keep an eye out on Kmart jewelry sales of all types. I am a fan of hoops. gold or silver. My dream is to find some rose gold hoops, big and thick. Keep your eyes out for me and let me know if you find anything.