Fabulous February!!

Ok Peeps!
Our February is great so far! President's Weekend both Pat and I have a 5 day weekend! TOGETHER!!! So, Thursday, we got our hair done and went to Disneyland.

Rode a lot of rides and had a Dole Whip of course. It was a perfect day!

At the end of the a Perfect Day we had a Perfect Ending...

SOOOOO Good for our ride home.

THEN TODAY.....50 Shades of Grey..... DAY!!! OMG!!!! Early Valentines Day!!!

It was so good....I'd see it again. So would Pat!!! HA HA HA!!!

Can't wait to see what happens Tomorrow, Sunday and Monday....
Stay Tuned....

Enjoy The Ride!!!
Pat & Sondee

Vacation Stuff we did!

WHEW!!! 

Now that you know what happened at the beginning of the Vacation, here's what we got to do.

The King Tut Exhibit is at the museum of Natural History here in San Diego. We both wanted to do that and we did. It was so much fun and really cool to learn more about the find!

 The tour is a couple hours. We went around 10am and we were done about 12 noon. We decided to splurge and go to  Hodad's for lunch. We headed to Ocean Beach to GRUB!!!

And Grub we did!!! Oh...no filter on the pic...The sunlight that day before the cold front moved in. 

After this great day, Nolan came down and we spent the afternoon with him then the 3 of us went up to my mom's again, nothing happened this time, to spend time with her and some friends visiting from Ohio. Nolan got his Christmas Present that day, IPhone 6+. HEE HEE! We have tickets to go to the Midway, but, that's when it gets warmer. We've baked, cooked, done a whole lotta nothin', and loving every minute of our Vacation Together!!!

Be happy

Enjoy The Ride!!!

Pat & Sondee

It's 2015!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR Everyone!!!
The last Pat & Sondee Adventures of 2014 were very eventful!!

First of all, Pat and I, had 2 FULL weeks off together! Pat had vacation he HAD to take and I get 2 weeks Winter Break because I work for the school district! WOOHOO!!!! We both decided that our Christmas Presents to each other was the fact we have 2 weeks together, IPhone 6's and baking hardware. We played around with the idea of Costa Rica, Orlando, Palm Springs, and some other places. But, since Pat's work wasn't sure if he was going to be able to take the time off, we couldn't make plans in advance. We decided to stay put and enjoy San Diego. In hindsight and with this cold front, Costa Rica sounds like a better plan. 

My last day of work was the Friday before Christmas and Pat's was the Thursday. We went to dinner, as usual. During dinner we discussed what our plan was going to be. Nolan, my son, needed my mom's couch, which we were storing for her in our back room. It's a big beautiful grey leather couch. So we made a plan to borrow a family members truck, load the couch and drive to Las Vegas, drop off the couch and drive home. Easy, peasy. BUT, it's US! We woke up early, on our first day off mind you, loaded the truck, got gas, picked up breakfast (Del Taco) and were on our way. We're talking away on the drive and having a GREAT time. You know somethings going to happen...Just outside of Barstow the truck sputters and a "ding" from the dashboard. "CHECK YOUR GAUGES". The Oil Pressure plummets. We look at each other and say, "weird". Pat pulls off the freeway. We look under the truck to see if the oil is pouring out. No. But there's a weird noise coming from the engine. We look at each other and say, we need to turn around. Being half way between home and Las Vegas, it's a toss up, but the daunting road ahead into Baker, the smart thing is to turn around towards civilization. So, we do the smart thing and turn around. 2 miles on our way back to Barstow, "CLUNK"! We pull off to the side of the road, Pat puts the truck in Park and the truck stops running. He didn't turn the key off. So....THANKFUL THAT WE BOTH HAVE IPHONE 6's FOR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS!!! Our phones were blowing up! He's calling the owner of the truck letting them know what happened. I'm on YELP finding a good tow company our of Barstow. We found a great Tow Company and got towed into Barstow. It's 11am. We started this Adventure at 7am. They towed us to a Garage so they could let us know, what we already felt, the engine was toast! The truck needed a new engine. So.....We're stuck in Barstow with an expensive couch. So we talk to the mechanics and they let us know that the Tow Company who towed us in, rents U-Hauls. No other rental car company was open on Saturday after noon. ARGH! Pat Calls and gets a U-Haul. We go and PAY for the rental after PAYING for the tow. We load the U-Haul with the Couch. The expensive couch is getting more expensive as the day goes on. We hop in the U-Haul, gas it up, get food because, it's 1pm now and I'm hungry and getting cranky. 

Side Note: Pat and I NEVER got mad, yelled at each other or anyone else. We worked together to get this done. WE even laughed a lot!

Back to the Adventure. Now we're back on the road to Las Vegas. Get to Nolan's house, unload the couch, set it up, fix little stuff in the house. Sat down on the Expensive Couch and tried to figure out how to get home. We could spend the night and fly home, but we didn't have a ride home from the airport. We decided to rent a car. The Cheapest rental car. Nolan was at work so he met us at the 

U-Haul garage to turn it in. Then he took us to the Airport to pick up the car. PAID for the rental. Price of the couch still going up. We got about 30 minutes to visit with him. It's now 6:30pm. The car was a Nissan Versa. Skateboard with a car body attached. Small and good gas mileage. We bought a tank of gas so we didn't have to get gas before we returned it. Hop in the car and get on the road. It's 8pm. We stopped for food in Barstow. Grabbed a couple HUGE Breakfast Burritos and headed out. Took a deep breathe, released all the stress and got back to normal. Gabbing the whole way. We get to Oceanside (on the 15) and the Gas light comes on and says. "40 miles to empty". We're only 20 miles from home. Going up the hill to our exit, "26 miles to empty". Getting ready to exit "---------" and FLASHING!!! WTF does that mean! We exit. Part of the way home downhill, Pat says, we're in neutral...HA HA! Get to the bottom of the hill. Get to the first Gas Station we see, pull in....CLOSED!!! Again..WTF! Start the car, whew! Get to the next gas station, put $15. Jeez. It's 12:30am. We get home, leave everything in the car, go to bed!!! The next morning we have to wake up and take the car back. 9:30am. I follow Pat down to the Airport, we return the car, drive home and STAYED THERE!!! Back home at 11am. 24 hours after we broke down.

First Good Deed done. Second Good Deed

Oh! You thought I was done. NO! 

Christmas Eve. My mom still had some more things stored in our garage from her move and we wanted to get it all up to her. We thought we'd take it up to her and have dinner with her since my step dad is gone until Feb. 

Deja Vu...We wake up, load the car, get breakfast, and get on the road. This time on the 5 north. Not even to Camp Pendleton. A truck driving in from of us has one of his tool box lids flapping in wind. Pat says, "look, it's coming off!" It did. It flew off onto the road, slip toward us and we thought we'd drive over it. It's US remember? It took flight and Karate Chopped the Drivers Side mirror!!! So our mirror is dangling on Pat's door the whole way to mom's in Santa Monica. HA HA HA!!! I said some expletives, more expletives, and some more. Then I said, "CATCH THAT BLEEEEEEEITY BLEEEEP"! Pat says, "It's Christmas honey!" We get to mom's and show her what ELSE has happened. Good Deep #2. We had a nice dinner, drove home without incident. Found a mirror online and shipped to us CHEAPER that Pick a Part Wrecking yard. 

All in All, we made it through without any anger, well except for my little moment. HA HA!!!

Hope Everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season!!! We actually did!!! More to come!

Enjoy The Ride!!!

Pat & Sondee

Two NEW Recipes!!!

#1 ----Sooooo...In the last 3 weeks, we've had 2 new recipes. And boy were they Good and Hearty!!!!

The first was:

Hawaiian Rolls Ham and Cheese Sandwiches:

These were so goood..Easy and Fast as well.

What you need:

1 Package of 24 Kings Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

1 Onion, chopped

1 stick of butter

3 Tablespoons of Dijon Mustard

2 Teaspoons of Worcestershire Sauce

3 Teaspoons Poppy Seeds

1 Pound Deli Ham, ( I got Honey Ham from the Deli)

1/2 Pound of cheese. ( I used Provolone, Pat doesn't like Swiss)

How you put it together:
Pre Heat Oven to 350
13x9 Pan
Slice the WHOLE 24 ROLLS down the middle Horizontally, so you have a TOP and a BOTTOM
In a skillet:
add Chopped Onions
Mustard
Poppy Seeds
Worcestershire Sauce
Cook until onions are clear

When cooked through, spread sauce on the BOTTOM flat of rolls, (make sure to save about 1/4 of the sauce for the TOP of the rolls)
Add your ham and cheese
Place the TOP of Flat of Rolls on, spread the rest of the sauce on top
Cover with Aluminum Foil and put in the over for 20-30 minutes. Make sure the cheese in the middle is melted. These are cheesy goodness.

Enjoy!


#2---The Next one is really really Hearty!!!! So be ready to be FULL!

Meatball Sub Casserole!!!! WOOHOO!!!

What you will need:

I used an Aluminum Pan so you can simply throw it away when you're done. 

Loaf of French Bread, Big One

1 Jar of Marinara Sauce

Bag of Italian Meatballs (From Costco)

Mozzarella Cheese

The quantity depends on how much you want to make.

How to put it together:

Pre Heat oven to 350

Cut your French Bread to make Garlic Bread

After your garlic bread is toasted, cut it up in small pieces and place it on the bottom of you pan

Put a layer of cheese over the bread

Heat up the Meatballs IN the Marinara Sauce

When heated, pour a layer of meatballs over the bread and cheese

Then add another layer of Cheese over top

Put in over UNCOVERED for 20 minutes

Oh My!!!! It's great. Especially with the Toasted Garlic Bread.

Give these a try, they are good and great for a nice hearty warm dinner that feeds a lot of people!!!!

Until the next time

Enjoy the Ride!!!

Pat & Sondee

NEW FOOD!!

Hello All!!!

I'm back with some "New Food" recipes! Well new to us.

Two weeks ago, I tried a new, made up recipe!

Pizza Casserole. I know this is not new, but I just put it together and hoped for the best.

This is what I did:

Rigatoni Noodles

Browned Hamburger

Onions

2 jars of Pizza Sauce

Mozzarella Cheese

Oregano

Pepperoni

Cook the noodles and brown the hamburger.

Add the onions to the browned Hamburger.

Add the Pizza Sauce to the Hamburger and then add the noodles.

Stir until all mixed up and heated up.

In a 9 x 13 inch pan

Add a layer of cheese and Pepperoni

then the Noodle mixture

then a layer of cheese, (we love cheese)

then topped with Pepperoni, like the top of a pizza

Bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 350. Make sure all the cheese is melted!!!

Dish up with Parmesan Cheese.

It was a hit!!! We will definitely do this again...! Very filling and great for lunches for the week!!!! 

We are trying two NEW recipes this week, so I will be posting those recipes next week!

Until next time

Enjoy the Ride!!!

Pat & Sondee

SUMMER ADVENTURES!!

Hello All!
It's been since July 4th, because in the Summer, Pat is working 7 days a week. Del Mar Races!!! But we managed to do some, adventuring....

To start, I had all of July off! WOOHOO!!!! So, I went to the beach, laid out at the house, watched movies on Netflix...basically, LAZY! And it was GREAT! I did get to go on a Road Trip with my Sister in Law, Pammy....we went to Clovis, CA and hung out with my niece and the Baby, Caseygirl....

This is Me and Pam heading out on the Road Trip...SO FUN!!!
This is Caseygirl...We went swimming, helped with the Cows, horses, got fresh eggs, and Casey climbed a mound of Horsey poop...HA HA HA!!! We went Antiquing and fabric shopping.

 This was our day antiquing and fabric shopping...Casey wanted to take a picture with her Auntie and this guy!!!!

Had a great weekend with Family....

Most of the summer I spent at work with Pat....

Yes, we are always on the Golf Cart eating Chocolate....

Watched some races, and just hung out for the afternoon. Beautiful weather and cruising....

Then we got to get into a Concert VIP Baby!!!

WEEZER!!!

Good show, but wait....we went to a better one, but you'll have to wait and read on.....

Also, in July we added to our family...

Meet JED-EYE!!!! He's a 2 year old Australian Shepard Mix...one brown eye and one blue eye!!! He's cool!!!! Pic is blurry because he suffers from DDD...Doggie Deficit Disorder....

I started back to work in August, so we didn't do much....September is a different story....

Nolan turned 24...

When the races were over, we went to our Traditional, "After Races Staycation"

Moonlight Beach Motel...

 We dropped Jed off at the Boarders...yes, he was spoiled there....

 We went to the Hotel for Mommy and Daddy time....

 Hawaiian Food on the balcony at sunset...Perfect...

The weather was Perfect..La Especial was incredible as usual...

The view, Spectacular,

We had snacks, drinks (unleaded and leaded), View, weather, perfection...

Very relaxing and an awesome weekend. We had VG's for breakfast on Sunday, then picked up the puppy. 

The next weekend was our Anniversary!!! 1 year baby!!!

This is only picture I'm posting on this adventure....(wink wink)

Then the ultimate end to our summer....

Ladies and Gentlemen...

SIR PAUL McCARTNEY

With the Rickenbacker....

Best Show EVER in my life!!!!! We got to see a Beatle!!!! There are videos on my Instagram.

We were so excited and we were NOT disappointed! OMG!!! 3 hours and 3 encores of Paul McCartney!!!! 

Whew...that was exciting!!!

Our last date night, we went to Slaters' 50/50...

Good atmosphere and great food...50/50 is, 50% Hamburger and 50% bacon....they even have Bacon Ketchup! Burgers and Fries...Great Date ight restaurant...

That my friends, catches you up on our adventures this summer. Anything we do, we do with Fun and a Whole Lotta Love...da duh da duh, dat da da dat da da dat....

Enjoy the Ride!!!

Pat & Sondee

July 4th Adventure!!!!

July 4th Adventure!!!!
We had so much fun on OUR Last Adventure before Pat's busy Horse Racing Season!!! We left for Hot..er...Palm Springs on Thursday night. We had a room at a Cathedral City Resort. Resort is code for, POOOOOLLLLL!!!!! All this adventure was supposed to be was....R E L A X A T I O N...And we were totally there! The weather was perfect, for Palm Springs. 111 for the 3 days we were there. But, it was windy, so when you got out of the pool, it was actually cool. Until you dried off. Which was about, 5 minutes. Still better than Las Vegas. Wind in Las Vegas in the Summer is a Blow Dryer. Not, Cool!
So, I went and got the traditional, O'Connor traditional road trip snacks,

 Then we gassed up,

And we on our way!!!! They say, half the fun is getting there. Well, with us, we take FULL advantage of that saying! We always have the BEST time getting to our adventure, because, our adventure starts when we decide where we will go or what we will do! We use the analogy, the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland, the line is part of the ride too! That's how our adventures are, the line is just the beginning of adventure.
We stopped for Pat's favorite, Del Taco, on the way out of town.

When we got to Palm Springs and checked into our hotel, the temp was around 96.

So we decided that, we totally need to go to the pool and we didn't care that the sun was down. We stayed for about an hour and half, had a great time, then headed back to the room. We needed a snack, so.....

 The next day looked like this....

That's about it...We went and got lunch, but came back and did more of that.
For Dinner, YUMMO! BBQ!

Everything was so good, then we wanted to head back to the hotel to get ready for the Fireworks!

This is us getting ready for Fireworks! WE were celebrating! We sat on the balcony of our room, talked and "celebrated". Then we got our suits on, again, went to the pool. There we sat in the jacuzzi and watched Fireworks. So FUUUUUNNNN!!!! After, we went to our room and then started getting ready for Part Deux of our July 4th Adventure.

We woke up early, got packed and hit the road for

Ronald Reagan Library!!! We were both told it was a really good library, museum, whatever you want to call it. And it really was.

They had the actual footage of the assignation attempt. This is the suit that was cut of him in the ER.

They had an exact replica of the oval office when RR was in office. Washington is always in the Oval Office, but the president gets to pick what portrait it is. RR picked GW in his military uniform. Which is now displayed in the Smithsonian.

The seal on the floor and everything. He loved western art so the Office was full of sculptures and paintings. Then, AIR FORCE ONE!!! SO COOL!!!! You get to go inside!!! No pictures are allowed but, still very cool!

The sign says, PLEASE DO NOT lean over the railing to touch the wingtip...

SOOOOOO......

Before he was arrested, we moved on to the Marine One Helicopter...

Small inside but still cool! Then off to, of course, Nancy!

There was other stuff as we went through, the Berlin wall speech, his meetings with Gorbachev. Then we found this, and we touched it!!! Very Very meaningful.

The next part was RR and Nancy's life out of office...

Lots of belt buckles, pictures of the ranch in Santa Barbara..etc...My niece does not like my form, so when we go see here next week, I get lessons!!!!
We move on to the exhibit that's there now and it's, BASEBALL!! Really cool to see all the history, but this was the best....

Yep! THE CARD of CARDS!!!
We went outside to see the last 3 things we wanted to see,  F-14 Black Ace

 An Actual piece of the Berlin Wall....

 Ronald Reagan's Resting Place...

That's where we ended our tour. We headed to our car, drove to my mom's, we went to Chinese Food, hung out a little, then came home. The Adventure was complete...

The R E L A X A T I O N Adventure was a success!!! Home safe and sound...more relaxed than ever.
We love our adventures together and making unforgettable memories together.

Until next time all!!!
Enjoy the Ride!
Pat & Sondee