Timinda's Engagement photos

A heavy picture post... but I just can't choose my favorites!  Our amazing photographer, Melvin Gilbert (you can find his blog here) did a fabulous job shooting our engagement photos.  Timothy and I wanted photos that were fun and captured our personalities and love for one another.  We chose to have our photos shot at Irvine Spectrum for starters and then headed to Crystal Cove State Park and Beach.  We had our very first date here, and wanted to go back to where we spent our first evening together.  Enjoy!!!

There is only one happiness in life.  To love and be loved. 

XO, Melinda Marie

Comedy Night at de Anza

We got to tag along with my parents at for dinner and a comedy night at their club.

We were the youngest ones in the bunch.  By at least 30 years. It was fun to double date with my parents.  They love their scene here and it cool to meet their friends who are golf and bridge partners.  My dad is head of the social committee and takes his job very seriously.  Oh to be retired!

He never stops.

                        

Who needs a dog house when you can climb in the family car?  Jake is a rescue dog.  He came to my parents medicated for severe anxiety and separation issues.  They have had to build trust with him and he now is not medicated and can occasionally be left alone without him freaking out or being destructive.  One time my parents came home from a night that required him to stay home (He goes along whenever possible), and they found him in the car.  They discovered why he never seemed to mind being kept in the garage.  But he blew his cover.  Now they just put a towel over the window, leave the window down and let Jake sneak in the car.  He must feel safe (and comfortable) in their. 

 

We didn't exactly laugh until we cried, but we did enjoy a great dinner and a decent show.  And the whole night was over before 9pm.  Borrego Midnight is no joke!!!

Touring THE Borrego Springs

Timothy and I toured Borrego Springs today.  My parents are Snowbirds.  Both their winter home and summer town are itty bitty.  Neither one have stop lights (or traffic, or malls, or many people for that matter) and they like it that way. 

Tim donated blood with The Red Cross today.  Jake and I walked around the Health Fair.  Tim liked his nutter butters and fruit punch after his donation.  Good deed and a sweet reward :)

These metal sculptures all scattered throughout Borrego.  Interesting, huh?

We played in the pool this afternoon, did some wedding stuff and played lots and lots of Bananagrams.  A great and relaxing day.

Borrego Bound

After a work trip to San Diego, Timothy and I headed to visit my parents in Borrego Springs for a weekend of rest and relaxation.  This is Timothy's first week post vacation of job hunting.  It is sooooo nice to have him around for the weekends.  Throughout our courtship he has never had a weekend off - one of the frustrations (for me at least) of owning your own business.  I'll refrain from any sarcasm here about other people (ahem) who have their weekends off.  :)

The drive to Borrego is beautiful.  There are many changes in landscape and few cars along the way.  

And for the ten years that I've been driving to Borrego, I've learned where the important landmarks are - like this gigantic Harry and The Hendersons type gorilla.  Timothy jumped at this photo opportunity.  (And I'm not kidding).

The drive into Borrego via Montezuma Grade isn't for the weak or those prone to being car sick.  It is very, very, twisty and turny, all the way to the very bottom.  BUT the view is beautiful, and if you are a passenger (and not the focused non-distracted driver) the beauty should be enough to keep you from losing your lunch.

My main squeeze 

Wearing our Nike shades. (Thanks, Dana).  You will never find me in a car or outside without sunglasses.  I'm part vampire that way.  Seriously.  Sun out and no shades equals mega insta headache.  (How's that for whining? Smile.)

Smooches.  (And I love how I still have my name tag from work on.  Whoops).

The Ocotillo are in bloom.  And so unique and beautiful.



The laid back passenger.

We arrived just in time to enjoy a fabulous dinner that my parents made.  (And were greeted by an eager Jake.  I LOVE that dog!)  My dad is master of the grill and my mom always makes sure there are plenty of fixins'.  Yummy.  When you're in Borrego, bedtime is 9PM.  Being a large retirement community, they call 9PM, Borrego midnight.  My nephew Andrew said, "I don't know why, but Borrego makes people soooo tired."  I like to think that it's not so much that one is fatigued, but rather so relaxed that when you do fall into bed early, you enjoy a night of peaceful, uninterrupted dreamland.  And that, my friends, is one of the reasons why I am so fond of (itty bitty non commercial middle of nowhere) Borrego.

Day 7 of Blalock Family Cruise ~ AT SEA

Our last day on our cruise and only a shade or two darker.  That's what you get when one of you  is white-white and wears SPF flannel for sunscreen and the other one is so paranoid of melanoma, age spots and sun induced wrinkles that she lathers up as well. 

Timothy was a good sport and went along with me to the Meet and Greet with the singers from the ship's productions.  I had kind of sort of just a little bit stalking, Jasmine.  You see, she played LEXI in my all time favorite musical of all time, RENT.  A real Broadway star up close and personal.  

And then, like I do with every single person I meet, I glanced at her neck. I don't know why I observe this on every person I meet, but ever since I had my thyroidectomy, I just automatically look.  Weird, I know.  But it is what it is.   And what did I see, an incision that looked suspiciously like a scar from a thyroidectomy.  NO WAY!  Twins! :)  Hers is barely noticeable, and thankfully my incision is as well.   We ended up chatting on the backstage tour, compared scars and talked about what small world it is.  

And this gentleman graduated from the OCHSA - one of the two magnet performing arts High Schools in my county.  Talk about a small world.  

Timothy looooooves his mama.  And she loves her sweet baby boy.  They have a very special bond.  I admire how kind and supportive they are with one another.  I'm quite fond of her too.  What a generous, kind, warm, woman.  AND my future Mother-in-law.

I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine.  Song of Solomon 6:3

Nerds.

Big time.

These are the faces of two very happy, rejuvenated, recharged, jolly souls!

Katie, Uncle Bo, TJ and LaLa at dinner in the formal dining room.  It was our one and only time eating there.  We preferred the eat and run Lido restaurant's flexibility and variety.  It was fun though to eat there on the final night.  The crew put on a fantastic show and dinner was extra delish!

Kathy and Tom ~ married for 20 years and going strong!

A little robot action

Baked Alaska for dessert

TJ even saved some for laytah'!

We are sad to see this cruise to an end.  Oh to be Mama Lou and cruise full time!  Tomorrow we get to visit with Micah and Courtney ~ long time friends of Timothy's who live not too far from the Port in Tampa.

More tomorrow!